Fighting erupted in Goma, DR Congo, as M23 rebels clashed with government troops, prompting mass panic among its 2 million residents. The Congolese government accused Rwanda of escalating the conflict, referring to it as a "declaration of war." Rwanda denied responsibility, instead blaming Congolese forces for violating ceasefire terms. Civilians faced horrifying choices as they sheltered in fear, and reports of violence led to UN peacekeeper casualties. The evolving conflict poses significant risks not just to the city but potentially erupts into a broader regional war.
"We are surrounded; there is no place to go," Safari Kanyagala Patrick expressed the desperate situation in Goma, confirming that fighting had persisted without a pause since Sunday afternoon.
The Congolese Foreign Minister condemned the rebels' advance as a "declaration of war" from Rwanda, highlighting the historical context of that nation's support for the M23 group.
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