Heavy battles between M23 fighters and Congolese government forces in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC city of Goma have left many bodies on the streets, with hospitals struggling to deal with the growing number of casualties. In the capital Kinshasa, protesters criticising international inaction attacked the embassies of Rwanda, France, Belgium and the United States on Tuesday.
On Monday, the rebels, which the United Nations says are backed by Rwanda, marched into Goma and declared the key city under their control, signalling a big blow to the Congolese army and a serious escalation in the years-long conflict that has killed hundreds and displaced millions in the region.
At a news briefing on Tuesday, the UN and other aid agencies warned that hospitals are overwhelmed in Goma, treating hundreds of patients with gunshot, mortar and shrapnel wounds while many bodies lie in the streets. At least 17 people were killed in Goma on Monday, and the AFP news agency reported quoting hospital sources that doctors in the city were treating people wounded in the clashes.
Civil society members and NGOs working in Goma put the death toll at 25, with people wounded. Heavy small arms fire and mortar fire continued in the streets, where many dead bodies could be seen, Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office, also said at a press briefing, citing reports from UN staff in the city. It added that another soldier killed in the recent fighting had also died on Monday, bringing the number of deaths in the past week to The fighting has sent thousands of people streaming out of Goma, which has been a key regional hub for humanitarian aid for displaced people.
Hundreds of thousands have fled fighting since the start of the year on top of three million displaced in the eastern DRC last year. One Goma resident told the Reuters news agency that he had seen men in Rwandan army uniforms on Monday. Fire exchanges also took place between Congolese and Rwandan troops on either side of a border crossing near Goma. M23, or the March 23 Movement, is one of hundreds of armed groups operating in the eastern DRC and seeking to control critical mineral mines.
