The primary power supply lines to the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have been severed as a result of intensified rebel conflict in the vicinity. This has resulted in hospitals and water systems being deprived of electricity, as reported by the electricity network operator on Tuesday.
Virunga National Park, responsible for the network providing approximately 80% of Goma’s electricity, disclosed on Monday that confrontations between the Congolese army and M23 rebels had disrupted the primary power lines to Goma. This city is home to over 2 million residents and serves as the capital of North Kivu province.
The M23 is an armed group led by Tutsi members, with allegations from both Congo and U.N. experts suggesting it receives support from neighboring Rwanda. However, Rwanda denies these accusations.
A park spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that engineers had successfully reached the site to initiate repairs on the main power line, despite ongoing hostilities and bombings in the vicinity.
In recent weeks, confrontations with the M23 rebels have encroached closer to Goma, prompting the United Nations to announce last Friday that the U.N. peacekeeping mission MONUSCO and the Congolese army have initiated a new operation to strengthen the city’s security perimeter.
The recent clashes have resulted in the displacement of approximately 300,000 individuals, contributing to an estimated total of 1 million people who have been forced to leave their homes due to the M23 conflict, according to U.N. estimates.
Located on the outskirts of Goma are vast camps for displaced individuals that rely on pumping stations for clean water. These stations are unable to operate without electricity, as reported by Virunga National Park.
“When there is a power cut like this, it is a crime against humanity. There are hospitals and pumping stations in the city that use this power,” said John Banyene, a civil society coordinator for North Kivu province.
“The consequences are dramatic for the inhabitants of Goma and the displaced populations of North Kivu,” he said.
