A large number of troops from Rwanda are pouring across the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo to help rebels seize the regional capital of Goma, ahead of an emergency United Nations meeting on the crisis on Monday. The director warns.
Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) soldiers are believed to have secretly crossed into eastern DRC over the past few days to support lightning attacks by the M23 militia.
official speaking observer The RDF increased pressure on the struggling Congolese city by amassing huge numbers of troops on the Rwandan side of the border, hundreds of meters from Goma in the center, he added, speaking on condition of anonymity. Most of the RDF's most senior commanders are said to have been deployed to the Rwandan city of Gisenyi, less than a mile across the border from Goma.
“The Rwandan army is lining the border and ready to invade,” said a source with detailed knowledge of the RDF and real-time intelligence.
Violent skirmishes between M23 Advanced units and the Congolese army were reported on the outskirts of Goma throughout Saturday. Nine South African peacekeepers were among those killed trying to defend the city.
The front line appears to be moving closer to the outskirts of Goma. One source says the battle was as close as nzulo, almost within city limits, vast refugee camp It holds more than 1 million people displaced by the fighting.
But a major attack by the Rwandan-backed M23 was thwarted overnight, Congolese military sources said.
“Goma’s defense is just holding on, but they [Rwanda] I want to pick up sesame seeds before the UNSC. [UN security council]said a senior source, requesting anonymity.
United Nations Security Council, the responsibility Ensuring International Peace and Security is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the unfolding crisis.
When M23 captured Goma in 2012, its forces were quickly withdrawn as Rwanda came under intense international pressure to end its support for the militia. This time, intelligence sources believe Rwanda wants to take control of the city before the West can summon an effective response.
Such a move would depend on M23 units immediately breaching the defenses of Goma, routing the Congolese army and assuming ownership of the vast city of more than 1 million people on the northern shore of Lake Kivu .
Before the recent influx of Rwandan troops into the DRC, UN experts estimated there were already up to 4,000 RDF personnel works internally Congo.
Sources also warn that Rwanda wants to not stop at Goma and capture the city of Bukavu, near the border at the southern end of Lake Kivu.
The M23 insurgency in the DRC's mineral-rich east has intensified this year, with the country rapidly seizing control of more territory. Last week, they took control of Minova, an important town along one of sesame's main supply routes. Two days later they captured the town, 12 miles from Goma and previously the Army's main defensive position against M23. Development threatens Sesame's supply of food and basic supplies.
I'll talk on Saturday observerClémentine de Montjoye Human Rights Watch “The situation in Goma is extremely dire.Today we hear reports of continued fighting on two axes, north and west of the city, and water and power shortages in the city.
“Given the huge number of civilians currently seeking refuge in Goma, we are making every effort to protect all parties and civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and allow access to critical humanitarian assistance. It is important to put pressure on those involved.”
Many analysts are critical of the West's response, especially for failing to rein in Rwanda's president and head of the RDF, Paul Kagame. In particular, Britain, the United States and France (three of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council) are accused by critics of being too close to Kagame.
In a statement on Saturday, the EU said:
The Rwandan government, which says it does not substantiate M23, had not responded by the time of publication.
