Red Cross personnel in Goma continued to conduct mass burials on Tuesday, following the takeover of the city by Rwanda-supported M23 rebels a week earlier. Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani reported that 2,000 bodies had been interred, while the World Health Organization updated the official death toll to at least 900, not including those still in morgues.
Families of the deceased expressed profound sorrow and called on authorities to restore peace. “We lost three family members—one to a bomb and another to gunfire. We are heartbroken,” stated Debors Zuzu, a grieving relative. “We have lived in fear for far too long. If everyone perishes, who will lead?”
At the ITIG cemetery, Elisha Dunia, who lost a child in the violence, urged the government to take action. “Our hearts are shattered. We implore the president and our representatives to engage in restoring peace in Goma.”
The M23 rebel faction, supported by approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops, has tightened its control over eastern Congo, a region abundant in minerals crucial for global technology. This recent escalation has resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands, with many seeking refuge in Rwanda.
Last week, M23 announced intentions to establish a governing body in Goma, encouraging residents to return to normalcy. On Monday, they proclaimed a unilateral ceasefire, effective Tuesday, citing humanitarian reasons.
Nevertheless, uncertainty prevails as the conflict-stricken city mourns its losses and confronts ongoing instability.
