M23 captures Goma Airport as protests, violence rock DR Congo

M23 rebels have captured Goma’s airport, a vital lifeline for humanitarian aid in eastern Congo, after taking control of the city in an offensive marked by heavy fighting and reports of widespread casualties. This escalation, the worst since 2012, has left dead bodies scattered across streets, according to the United Nations.

The conflict, rooted in decades of unrest following the Rwandan genocide and the struggle over Congo’s rich mineral reserves, has displaced thousands. Aid groups report residents fleeing Goma, many crossing into Rwanda with only the belongings they could carry.

In the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, anger over alleged foreign interference and Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict led protesters to attack the embassies of Rwanda, France, the United States, and Kenya. Videos verified by media showed looters ransacking Kenya’s embassy and other locations. Demonstrators chanted anti-Rwanda slogans, blaming global powers for complicity in Congo’s suffering.

Fighting Engulfs Goma

Residents of Goma reported continuous gunfire and explosions, particularly around the airport, which the rebels fully secured by Tuesday afternoon. The airport’s capture isolates the region, as it was the primary route for supplies delivered by the U.N., humanitarian groups, and the Congolese army.

“Without the airport, there’s no viable access to Goma—by road or lake,” said Congo researcher Christoph Vogel.

Reports of rape, looting, and overwhelmed hospitals emerged as humanitarian officials painted a dire picture of the city. Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian office (OCHA), warned of a public health disaster if damaged facilities, including a laboratory storing dangerous pathogens, were compromised.

Roots of the Conflict

The M23, an ethnic Tutsi-led group with alleged Rwandan backing, accuses Congo of harboring militias responsible for past violence against Tutsis. Congo, in turn, accuses Rwanda of exploiting proxy forces to control mineral resources like coltan, essential for smartphones.

Rwandan officials deny direct involvement but justify their actions as self-defense. Meanwhile, the U.N. and international powers fear a wider regional conflict reminiscent of the wars that devastated Congo in the 1990s and early 2000s, killing millions through hunger and disease.

Protests and International Reactions

In Kinshasa, protesters targeted diplomatic missions, blaming foreign nations for failing to prevent Rwanda’s influence. “How many times do we have to die?” demanded one protester, Joseph Ngoy, amid anti-Rwanda demonstrations.

The Rwandan, French, U.S., Belgian, and Dutch embassies were also targeted. Police used tear gas to disperse protesters as tensions flared.

Call for Resolution

As the M23 rebels consolidate control in Goma, concerns are growing over their broader intentions, with some suggesting they aim to oust President Felix Tshisekedi’s government. The U.N. and regional powers are urging de-escalation to prevent a repeat of past wars that devastated the region.

South Africa reported additional peacekeeper casualties, raising the toll to 13 soldiers killed in the conflict over the past week.

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