The number of casualties in last week’s violent clashes in Goma between the Congolese government forces and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels has been put at 900, at least, as of Monday. At least 2,900 were injured during the five days of intense fighting that surpassed the 773 deaths earlier reported.
To date, as of last Friday, at least 900 bodies had been recovered from the streets of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the WHO. The rebels known as M23, which are reportedly backed by about 4,000 Rwandan troops, took control of Goma during this conflict. It is the sharpest escalation yet in the still-unfolding crisis and comes as M23 rebels have emerged as one of the most powerful players among more than 100 armed groups seeking to control resource-rich eastern Congo.
The region remains one of the most volatile in Africa, hosting critical global technology deposits. One of the strongest groups active during the fighting has emerged to become one of the most potent forces on the side, the M23 group, once active in 2012 before losing ground.
This meeting comes after the escalating violence with a joint summit of regional blocs from southern and eastern Africa scheduled to take place on February 7-8 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The summit focused on finding solutions to the conflict that continues in eastern Congo, and Kenyan President William Ruto confirmed the meeting.
