Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi has vowed a "strong and coordinated" response to reclaim the city of Goma, which was seized by M23 rebels earlier this week.
In a televised address on Wednesday, Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 insurgency, calling the rebel group a "terrorist organization." He stated that he had convened emergency meetings with government and military officials to assess the situation and plan countermeasures.
Earlier on Wednesday, nearly 300 foreign mercenaries hired by the Congolese government surrendered to the rebel group. Recruited to bolster DR Congo’s underfunded and disorganized army, the mercenaries reportedly worsened the conflict due to a lack of coordination.
After being cornered alongside remnants of Congo’s army and allied militias, the fighters surrendered to United Nations peacekeepers, who facilitated their repatriation through Rwanda. Before crossing the border, one of the mercenaries was publicly reprimanded by an M23 spokesperson in front of journalists.
Rwanda, which diplomats claim supports M23 fighters, called for a ceasefire in eastern Congo and urged the Congolese government to negotiate with the rebels. However, Kigali has denied any involvement in the conflict.
Rwanda’s foreign minister told Reuters that fighting in Goma itself had stopped because the city was now under M23 control.
Meanwhile, residents in Goma reported ongoing looting and sporadic gunfire in the city.
The Congolese government considers M23 a “terrorist group” and has refused to engage in direct negotiations with them.
M23 rebels are reportedly advancing south from Goma in an apparent bid to expand their controlled territory. Videos circulating on social media show armed fighters moving along the rebels' reported route, though it remains unclear which side the individuals belong to.
The rebels' rapid territorial gains in mineral-rich eastern Congo since the start of the year follow the collapse of peace talks between Kinshasa and Kigali in mid-December.
Continued violence and looting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are significantly hindering aid operations and escalating the humanitarian crisis, the United Nations (UN) reported.
Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi has vowed a "strong and coordinated" response to reclaim the city of Goma, which was seized by M23 rebels earlier this week.
At least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers have been killed in ongoing clashes with M23 rebels in eastern Congo, as the group makes alarming territorial advances near the city of Goma.
The World Health Organization's Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has expressed confidence that a global pandemic agreement will be finalized by May 2025, despite concerns over US participation under President-elect Donald Trump.
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President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has pledged a strong military response to M23 rebels, accusing Rwanda of backing them and condemning global inaction. He called for national resilience and a humanitarian plan for the displaced.
Apple is set to report slow revenue growth as weak iPhone demand, AI delays, and tough China competition weigh on sales, while a strong U.S. dollar adds further pressure.
NASA's asteroid samples have revealed organic compounds, including amino acids and nucleobases. Scientists say these findings are proof that asteroids may have helped seed early Earth.
The president argues that the social media giant infringed on his rights by suspending his accounts after the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack.
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