Rwanda-Backed Rebels Rampant in DR Congo: The Terrifying Reality
As Rwanda-backed rebels continue their advance in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a wave of looting and insecurity has gripped the terrified population. The looting of food stores and warehouses has become rampant, forcing the people to stay indoors and triggering massive displacement within the country.
The President of DR Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, has called for a massive military mobilization to combat the rebels who are seeking to seize control of more territory in the east. He has vowed a vigorous and coordinated response to push back the rebels while still advocating for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The rebels, known as M23, are backed by some 4,000 troops from Rwanda and are just one of over 100 armed groups competing for power in the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo. The situation has caused widespread fear among the people in the South Kivu Province, as government forces attempt to halt the rebel advance.
Goma, the largest city in the east, has already fallen to the rebels, putting over 6 million displaced people at risk. Brother Jean Claude, a Marist brother in Kinshasa, reports that the Marist Community in Goma is living in fear and isolation, with basic necessities like water, electricity, and internet cut off for days.
Brother Jean Claude expresses concern for the safety of students in their schools, especially the 122 girls, who are vulnerable to recruitment by the rebels. He laments the tragic bombing of a Catholic church-owned hospital and the overall insecurity that has enveloped the city.
The situation in Goma is dire, with the airport closed, roads unsafe, and children forced into carrying goods and weapons for the rebels. The hope for peace and the end to this nightmare remains strong, but the reality on the ground is terrifying and uncertain.
