Rwanda-backed rebels have reportedly seized control of Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, causing mass panic among its 2 million residents. The rebel group, known as M23, announced the city's capture after a 48-hour deadline for the Congolese army to surrender their weapons expired. Gunfire was heard throughout the city as the rebels urged residents to remain calm and for the military to assemble at the central stadium.
The capture of Goma by M23, a group mainly composed of ethnic Tutsis, threatens to escalate the conflict in the mineral-rich region and displace more civilians. The United Nations has expressed concern over the situation, with over a third of the population in North Kivu province already displaced. The rebels' offensive has led to a surge in violence, resulting in casualties among peacekeepers and civilians.
