Videos verified by Reuters on Tuesday show dozens of rebels riding on the backs of trucks, signaling the group's continued hold over the city.
In the streets of Goma, armed men exchanged fire in what appeared to be fierce clashes. Bodies lay scattered amid the chaos, while hospitals were overwhelmed with patients suffering from gunshot wounds and shrapnel injuries. The Red Cross reported treating over 100 patients in a 24-hour period, many with severe head and chest trauma caused by mortars.
The unrest marks a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict, with the U.N. reporting that 400,000 people have been displaced since the start of the year. Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC and a strategic trading hub, fell to the rebels on Monday after they breached government defenses.
Allegations of External Support
The DRC government has accused neighboring Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, allegations that Rwanda has denied. These claims, however, have drawn international concern, with the United Nations and human rights organizations urging a resolution to the crisis.
Protests erupted on Tuesday in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, as demonstrators voiced their anger over the conflict and alleged foreign interference. Protesters targeted embassies belonging to Uganda, Rwanda, and other nations, accusing them of complicity in the crisis. In one instance, the U.S. embassy was struck with burning tires while demonstrators chanted anti-imperialist slogans.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The capture of Goma has sparked fears of further displacement and civilian casualties. Human Rights Watch described the situation as a severe threat to civilian safety, with ongoing violence exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in a region already plagued by instability.
Aid agencies are struggling to cope with the influx of wounded and displaced people. "The hospitals are running out of supplies, and the medical staff is stretched beyond capacity," a Red Cross spokesperson said.
Regional and Global Implications
The M23 rebellion, rooted in ethnic tensions and historical grievances, has destabilized eastern DRC for over a decade. The group briefly seized Goma in 2012 before being driven out by Congolese and U.N. forces. Their resurgence underscores the fragility of peace in the region.
The crisis has strained relations between DRC and its neighbors, with calls for an urgent international response. While Rwanda continues to deny involvement, the allegations have heightened tensions with Kinshasa and fueled anti-Rwandan sentiment among protesters.
As the situation in Goma deteriorates, the international community faces mounting pressure to mediate and address the underlying causes of the conflict. For now, the people of Goma remain trapped in a precarious limbo, caught in the crossfire of a battle with no clear end in sight.