The International Committee of the Red Cross announced on Wednesday that hundreds of Congolese soldiers and police officers, who have been seeking safety at the United Nations base in Goma since the city was captured in January, are being relocated to Kinshasa. The ICRC will provide escort for the now-disarmed soldiers, police officers, and their families from the MONUSCO peacekeeping mission’s location to the capital over several days.
MONUSCO reported that approximately 1,400 individuals, primarily soldiers, have taken refuge at its Goma base since late January. The ICRC emphasized the need for adherence to international humanitarian law and responsible conduct from all parties involved, given the operation’s complexity and associated risks. This situation arises from a prolonged conflict linked to the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the competition for Congo’s extensive mineral resources, with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels capturing Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, in late January, followed by Bukavu, the second-largest city, weeks later.
The rapid advance of these rebels has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands. Rwanda has denied U.N. claims of its support for the M23, asserting that its military actions are in self-defense against Congo’s army and allied militias. Although M23 retreated from the key mining town of Walikale earlier this month, recent reports indicate ongoing sporadic clashes between the rebels and Congolese soldiers, as well as allied Wazalendo militia fighters in the region and in North and South Kivu provinces.
This week, Congo and Rwanda committed to drafting a peace agreement by May 2, following a call for a ceasefire, although previous ceasefire attempts have failed to achieve a lasting cessation of hostilities. The ICRC has been approached by Congolese authorities, the U.N., and the AFC/M23 rebel coalition to serve as a neutral intermediary. Senior U.N. aid official Bruno Lemarquis expressed gratitude to the ICRC for its vital role in facilitating this intricate operation.
