KEY POINTS
- Congo’s military governor died from injuries sustained during M23 clashes.
- Fighting has displaced 400,000 people in eastern Congo this year.
- U.N. warns of escalating violence and a looming regional conflict.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern region is on edge as M23 rebels push closer to Goma, a key city in North Kivu province.
Major General Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, the provincial military governor, died from injuries sustained on the front line during clashes with the insurgents.
The situation underscores escalating tensions in the region, where the rebel group continues to seize territory, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.
Nkuba, who led the province since 2023, was injured while overseeing operations about 12 miles from Goma. Despite being evacuated to Kinshasa for treatment, he succumbed to his injuries, the army confirmed.
The United Nations is now warning of the potential for this conflict to spiral into a larger regional war, with the U.N. Security Council set to convene to address the crisis.
Escalation threatens regional stability
The M23 rebel group has captured significant ground in recent weeks, advancing to within 12 miles of Goma and attacking supply routes.
They seized the town of Minova earlier this week and have pushed into Sake, raising concerns over their intentions to capture Goma.
According to Reuters, the U.N. peacekeeping mission MONUSCO has mobilized heavy artillery and repositioned forces to strategic points to protect the city.
The conflict, fueled by allegations of Rwandan support for the M23, has displaced 400,000 people this year alone. The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels, a claim Rwanda denies.
The ongoing violence has left many families stranded, with makeshift camps destroyed and hospitals overwhelmed.
Humanitarian crisis grows
The fighting has created dire humanitarian conditions. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports critical shortages of medical supplies, with wounded patients waiting days for treatment.
Women and children increasingly make up the majority of those injured, while displaced families seek refuge in Goma’s streets and green spaces.
Meanwhile, infrastructure damage continues to mount. The damage inflicted by fighting on electricity lines near Goma has further deteriorated the city’s vulnerable condition.
MONUSCO has condemned the seizure of Sake, warning that the violence could escalate further.
