CNN
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According to the United Nations, around 3,000 people have been killed in Goma city in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“So far, 2,000 bodies have been collected from Goma Street, with 900 remaining in Morgue at Goma Hospital,” Vivienne Van des Pere, vice-chief of Dr. Congo’s UN mission, said on Wednesday. ”
“We expect this number to rise,” she told reporters on a video call from the city, which has around 2 million people living there. “There are still many decomposition bodies in certain areas.”
The recovery of the remains comes after the rebel alliance. The Alliance announced a ceasefire from Tuesday, Congo (AFC), which includes the M23 armed groups, to be pulverized, “in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the Kinshasa regime.”
The government on Tuesday described the ceasefire as “false communication,” and fierce battles continue to be reported in South Kivu province, the United Nations said Wednesday.
A country of over 100 million people, Dr. Congo has experienced decades of violence driven by ethnic tensions and fights over access to land and mineral resources, one of the world’s biggest humanitarian crises. is causing the
Experts in the Congo, the US and the United Nations have accused neighboring Rwanda of supporting the M23, which is made up of ethnic Tutsi people who were separated from the Congolese military more than a decade ago.
The Associated Press said the Rwandan government has denied the claim, but has admitted that there are military and missile systems in eastern Congo. Rwandan president Paul Kagame told CNN on Monday that he had no idea whether Rwandan troops were in Congo, but his country would do what it takes to protect itself.
Since 2022, M23, who claims to defend the interests of minority communities, including Tutsi, has launched a new uprising against the Congolese government, which occupies a large spread of the North Kivu, adjacent to Rwanda and Uganda.
The area is home to rare minerals, including vast sediments of Koltan. This is essential for the production of mobile phones and computers.
Van des Pere said Wednesday that the UN wanted the ceasefire to be held, but “it doesn’t seem to appear.”
“In Bucabu, tensions are rising as the M23 approaches just 50km north of the city,” Van de Pere told reporters, calling the situation in South Kivu province “of particular concern.”
Rebel groups appear to continue to gain position in the mineral-rich eastern region, capturing a town 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Bukabu, the Associated Press on Wednesday to lay civil society officials and residents. I quoted it and reported it.
Van de Pere said the United Nations is “significant interest” in the loss of Kavum airport in Bukabu.
The Rebel Alliance previously emphasized that “we have no intention of capturing Bukavu or any other region.” “But we repeat our commitment to protecting and defending civilians and our position,” it said.
Rebels have made a series of territorial acquisitions in the eastern part of the country in recent weeks, with group leaders expressing their intention to capture more cities, including the capital, Kinshasa.
Kinshasa is approximately 930 miles (1,500 km) away from Sesame, on the western edge of the vast country.
AFC spokesman Victor Tessongo said CNN’s rebels are working to “set up a new government” in Goma on Friday, and to advance further into Southern Kivu and Kinshasa. M23 leader Corneil Nanga told Rwandan Media last week that his group’s purpose was to “go to Kinshasa.”
“We’re going to fight until we get to Kinshasa. We’ve come to Goma to stay. We’re not going to retreat. We’re going from Goma to Bukabu… to Kinshasa,” he says. I did.
In Goma, Van de Pere said that the rebel group has consolidated control of the city and territory of North Kivu, which it has already seized.
The Congolese government has not confirmed the rebel acquisition, but has acknowledged their presence in Goma. Last week, a new military governor was appointed to North Kivu, who was said to be “under siege” by the Congolese forces.
“We will remain under occupation (in Sesame). Van des Pere said on Wednesday that the situation remains very unstable and there is a sustained risk of escalation. “Everything from Sesame The exit routes are under their control, and airports under the control of the M23 will be closed until further notice.”
“Escalating violence has led to huge human suffering, evacuation and a growing humanitarian crisis,” Van des Pere said.
About 2,000 civilians have been evacuated to the UN Peacekeeping Base in Goma, she said.
CNN’s Larry Madowo, Eve Brennan and Nimi Princewill contributed to this report.
