Goma in Shadows: Scars of War in Eastern DR Congo Persist

Goma, DR Congo, faces deep unrest after M23 rebel takeover, with severe humanitarian crises and chaos disrupting daily life. The situation mirrors past conflicts and threatens further violence across the region. The local economy is collapsing as instability grows, with rising crime and displaced residents.Additional violence casts a shadow over the city’s future as residents endure the lasting impacts of war.

GOMA, DR Congo, May 14 — The city of Goma, once a vibrant border hub lying under the shadow of Mount Nyiragongo, is now plunged into a tense stillness. Following the seizure of the city by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group in January, life for its two million residents has faced severe disruption. Peace remains elusive in this troubled region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, known for its long history of conflict.

In late January, M23 fighters surged into Goma, claiming control after significant advances, and it marked a significant escalation in the decades-long conflict in the eastern DRC. Many residents felt a grim déjà vu, reminiscent of 2012 when the same group briefly dominated the city. The violence turned Goma into a battlefield, as shells rained down on residential areas, and fierce clashes occurred in key locations like the airport and border stations.

According to government statistics, the assault has led to catastrophic losses, with over 8,500 lives claimed and at least 5,600 injured. Displacement camps were not spared, suffering unimaginable tragedies, including the loss of pregnant women and newborns due to shelling. Although M23 announced a “humanitarian ceasefire” on February 4, chaos has only spread across the Kivu provinces, with Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, falling into their control shortly after.

Observers are cautioning that the latest round of conflict may be more entrenched than past outbreaks. Corneille Nangaa, a key political figure associated with M23, has expressed ambitions to expand their influence drastically, even vowing to “liberate the entire country.” In the aftermath of the takeover, Goma is shrouded in a silence that is as unsettling as the chaos that preceded it, leaving streets devoid of life and commerce.

The local banking system is struggling under severe cash shortages, and nighttime crime has surged amid a collapsing order. With government authorities rendered virtually non-existent, M23 has set up checkpoints and imposed new taxes and tolls along roads. The humanitarian situation is dire; the International Organization for Migration reports that upwards of 1.2 million people have been newly displaced since January. Those who had initially sought safety in Goma had to flee again to escape renewed violence.

In a dramatic ultimatum issued in February, the M23 demanded the evacuation of major displacement camps such as Bulengo and Lushagala. In a matter of hours, camps were emptied, leaving families to carry whatever they could and seek refuge where many found their homes reduced to mere rubble.

Sake, located about 27 kilometers from Goma, has transformed into a battleground since late 2023, witnessing fierce conflicts between M23 forces and the Congolese military, supported by local militias. Reports emphasize that street brawls have completely devastated the town, where dangers persist, including unexploded ordnance.

In nearby fields, remnants of war remain. Local resident Christian Kabuya noted, “We’ve found live shells in over ten locations. Several people, including children, have died from accidental explosions.” Meanwhile, Ndosho Hospital, the sole facility in the region still accepting wounded patients, is overwhelmed. Supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), it is under tremendous pressure with the ongoing influx of casualties.

Taoffic Mohamed Toure, an ICRC veteran working in the area, described the situation as “uniquely complex,” citing the multitude of conflicting parties and persistent violence as key challenges. As diplomatic negotiations falter and ceasefires break down, the communities in eastern DRC continue to live under the heavy shadows of war. The remnants of conflict serve as a stark reminder of the tumultuous times, where even the molten remnants of Nyiragongo cannot wash away the scars of battle.

Amidst the destruction, children in Sake can be seen playing near damaged buildings, a haunting reminder that the spirit of resilience persists, even in the most dire circumstances.

Goma, once a thriving hub in eastern DR Congo, is now trapped in a chilling silence following the M23 group’s takeover in January. The humanitarian crisis deepens as displacement and violence continue to affect the population. Amidst a landscape littered with unexploded ordnance and collapsing institutions, the people of Goma live with the ongoing ramifications of war. As established order crumbles, the scars of conflict remain, profoundly impacting the lives of millions.

Original Source: english.news.cn