GOMA, Congo β Rebels backed by Rwanda captured more towns in eastern Congo on Wednesday, as fighters moved beyond the key city of Goma in an apparent attempt to expand their control in the conflict-battered region. The rebels were advancing toward the center of South Kivu province after capturing several of its towns, including Kalungu, Kanyezire and Mukwinja, according to a local civil society leader and an aid worker in the area who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter publicly.
The advance further raised fears of prolonged occupation by the rebels, who have said they plan to set up a new administration in Goma. Unlike now, they only captured Goma during their first rebellion in but withdrew days later under international pressure on Rwanda. Soldiers fighting for Congo β many of them mercenaries from other nations β were laying down their weapons at the border with Rwanda. Fighting reignited this week, and the rebels backed by Rwanda, known as M23, announced Monday that they had captured much of the provincial capital of Goma.
Rwandan border patrol agents thoroughly searched the belongings of the men, women and children crossing the border in waves, with suitcases and children in tow. The displaced people, looking exhausted but relieved, were then taken care of by the Rwandan Red Cross. Meanwhile, rebels took control of Goma's airport, said U. Other parts of the city were calm, with less fighting after a day during which thousands of fleeing people hunkered down by roadsides as missiles flew overhead, and injured people streamed to overwhelmed hospitals.
The root of the conflict goes back dec ades. The chaotic situation has its roots in ethnic conflict: M23 says it is defending ethnic Tutsis in Congo. Rwanda has claimed the Tutsis are being persecuted by Hutus and former militias responsible for the genocide of , Tutsis and others in Rwanda. Many Hutus fled into Congo after the genocide.
M23 appears to be preparing to stay in Congo for good, telling the AP of their plans to set up an administration and return displaced people to their homes. Analysts have warned that securing a rebel withdrawal could be more difficult than in , when M23 first captured Goma but withdrew after days. Murithi Mutiga, program director for Africa at the Crisis Group, said that the group has become more emboldened by Rwanda, which feels Congo is ignoring its interests in the region and failed to meet demands of previous peace agreements.
