Key Takeaways:

• Congo cuts diplomatic ties with Rwanda as M23 rebels close in on Goma, resulting in numerous casualties.
• Thirteen peacekeepers and foreign soldiers have been killed during the recent fighting, prompting international concern.
• Heavy clashes have caused the displacement of thousands, with civilians fleeing toward Goma amidst fears for their safety.

GOMA, Congo — In a dramatic escalation of violence, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda as fighting between Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and government forces rages around the key eastern city of Goma. Heavy combat has left at least 13 foreign peacekeepers dead and displaced thousands of civilians seeking refuge. The M23 rebel group has made considerable territorial gains in recent weeks, now encircling Goma, the provincial capital, which has a population of approximately 2 million and serves as a vital hub for security and humanitarian efforts. According to reports from the UN, both the DRC and U.S. government accuse Rwanda of supporting M23, a group primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis who split from the Congolese army over a decade ago, contributing to one of the world's largest humanitarian crises in a mineral-rich region.Source: VOA

The Congolese Foreign Ministry announced late Saturday the severance of diplomatic relations with Rwanda, citing security concerns, and instructed the immediate withdrawal of all diplomatic staff from the country. Rwanda's government has consistently denied allegations of supporting M23, although it had earlier admitted to maintaining troops and missile systems in eastern Congo for security reasons. U.N. experts suggest that as many as 4,000 Rwandan soldiers might currently be in Congo.

The UN Security Council has advanced an emergency meeting regarding the intensifying violence, initially slated for Monday, which was gravely impacted by the escalating situation on the ground. On Sunday morning, heavy gunfire resonated throughout Goma as thousands of displaced individuals fled the Kanyaruchinya camp, which is situated close to the Rwandan border, heading south towards the city.

“We are fleeing due to intense firing and bombings seen from the border,” stated Safi Shangwe, a civilian escaping the violence. Fears that Goma itself might not provide safety have driven many displaced individuals to attempt crossing into Rwanda through border checkpoints where migration officers are thoroughly checking documents.

Recent clashes have taken a toll on peacekeepers, with reports confirming the deaths of two South African soldiers and one Uruguayan soldier within 48 hours, along with three Malawian peacekeepers. Furthermore, the South African Defense Ministry declared that seven additional soldiers serving in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force were killed during fighting with M23 over these days.

The DRC army, backed by UN forces and the SADC mission known as SAMIDRC, has reported successfully repelling recent M23 assaults, aiming to prevent the city from falling into rebel hands. The UN peacekeeping force, MONUSCO, has been active in Congo for over two decades and currently consists of around 14,000 peacekeepers dedicated to restoring stability in the region.

In summary, the ongoing humanitarian crisis fueled by armed conflict in eastern Congo highlights the urgent need for international intervention and ensures that the plight faced by civilians remains a priority for global leaders. The UN has begun evacuating non-essential staff from Goma, indicating the severity of the situation.

For further details, visit AP News.