Before long they had seized the city and are now looking to push on in their fight against the government. Hospitals are full and those in hospital have no food, no water, and no medication. Medical staff are overwhelmed. Now, the M23 are taking up arms against the Congolese government, accusing the government of not living up to the peace deal and fully integrating Congolese Tutsis into the army and administration.
Congolese president Felix Tshisekedi , meanwhile, has called on young people to enlist in the military. At a briefing where they sought to assert their control over the eastern city of Goma and surrounding territory in the neighbouring south Kivu province, the M23 rebels said they would be open to dialogue with the government, also proposed by the east African regional bloc of which Rwanda is a member.
Their motive, however, is to gain political power, Corneille Nangaa, one of the political leaders of M23, said during the briefing. He did not indicate how the rebels planned to advance on the capital, nearly 1, miles away. The DR Congo has been grappling with a decades-long crisis, and in north Kivu, where Goma is located, there are over 2.
Balibuno managed to flee from Goma to Kinshasa on Friday when it became obvious that M23 were heading for Goma. There is no electricity in the city, no water. The only information I am getting is by telephone. People are trapped and hiding in their homes. Mr Balibuno is hearing that people, especially those with children, only come out of hiding to look for water and food.
Although petrified of the troops, people come out to clap on the groups of soldiers walking through the streets of Goma. Balibuno is most concerned for women and girls in Goma. Concerted diplomatic action is needed beyond just condemning the violence to get it to stop. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies.
