Rebel leader Corneille Nangaa, whose fighters took control of Goma, a major city in eastern DR Congo, has declared that their goal is to march all the way to Kinshasa, the country’s capital.

Nangaa, leading an alliance that includes the M23 rebel group, wants to remove President Félix Tshisekedi’s government. Despite international pressure for a ceasefire, the rebels are reportedly advancing towards another key city, Bukavu.

In response, President Tshisekedi assured the public that the government is organizing a strong effort to reclaim the lost territory.


However, the fighting has displaced around 500,000 people, making the humanitarian situation even worse, according to the UN. The rebels have taken over Goma, promising to restore services, but the city is facing severe shortages of electricity, water, and food.

While Nangaa’s statement of marching to Kinshasa sounds unlikely due to the country’s vast size, there’s historical precedent, as a similar move occurred in 1997. The situation has also drawn criticism of neighboring Rwanda, accused of supporting the rebels, though Rwanda denies it.

Tensions between South Africa and Rwanda have increased due to their involvement, with Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame, warning against confrontation with South Africa.

Meanwhile, regional peacekeepers from the UN and southern Africa have struggled to stop the rebel advance, with several peacekeepers, including South African soldiers, losing their lives in the conflict.

As the international community continues to pressure Rwanda to withdraw, countries like the UK and Germany have even threatened to cut aid to Rwanda, further escalating the situation.

This conflict highlights the complex and violent situation in the region and the broader geopolitical tensions. (BBC)

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgn1k9nleno

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