Violence in Congo-Kinshasa

Rwandan military in Goma – residents warned

The fighting in Congo-Kinshasa is escalating. The spokesman for the Congo-Kinshasa government, Patrick Muyaya, states that Rwandan soldiers are in the city of Goma. On X he writes that Congolese troops are working to prevent a “bloodbath”, writes Reuters.

Earlier on Monday, the government in Congo-Kinshasa accused neighboring Rwanda of having declared war. The background is the M23 rebel group’s offensive in the country. According to several observers, M23 is supported by Rwanda.

The rebel group claims to have taken control of the city of Goma, a city of millions, but the information is conflicting. Testimonies indicate that the Congolese army still has control of the city’s airport.

– There is confusion in the city, a resident tells Reuters.

Since the beginning of the year, over 400,000 people have been forced to flee as a result of the conflict, writes the BBC.

Rebels have taken over a city of millions in Congo-Kinshasa

Unrest is growing in Congo-Kinshasa. During the night, rebel forces announced that they had taken over the city of millions of people, Goma, reports Reuters.

“We have ordered the soldiers to surrender,” Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the Congo River Alliance rebel force that includes M23, told Reuters.

M23, which is supported by Rwanda, has been gaining ground in January, especially in the conflict-affected areas of eastern Congo-Kinshasa. Last night, the country announced that it had broken off all diplomatic relations with Rwanda.

Now there is growing concern that a regional war could break out in the area. Late on Sunday, the UN Security Council issued a demand for rebel forces to immediately halt their offensive in the country.

Reports of deaths after prisoners escape in Goma

Several prisoners have escaped from a large prison in the city of Goma in eastern Congo-Kinshasa, a security source told AFP. The information comes just hours after the rebel group M23 took control of the city.

According to the news agency's source, the prison holds around 3,000 prisoners. It is said to have been "completely burned down" after the escape took place and there are reports of deaths.

AFP journalists on the ground in Goma testify that prisoners are escaping through the city and that heavy artillery is heard in several places.