Goma residents flee to Rwanda as M23 advances

By The Inspirer.

Residents of Goma city have told Kigali Today that they are afraid of the ongoing fighting approaching their city, after M23 fighters reportedly entered the town of Sake, located 27 kilometers from Goma.

Journalists working in Goma told Kigali Today that M23 fighters entered Sake at around 1:00 PM, which led residents to start fleeing into Goma.

Parents living on the outskirts of Mugunga and Mubambiro were advised to pick up their children who had gone to school. One parent told Kigali Today, “The education official in North Kivu sent a message that schools are closing. I am now on my way to bring my child home.”

This parent, who lives in Keshelo, said they are scared because many soldiers are fleeing the battle. “We are waiting to see what happens next. Many soldiers are fleeing the battle, and foreign soldiers (Wagner) who were in Mubambiro have packed their belongings and left. What can we expect now?”

The sound of bombs can be heard from Sake and its surrounding areas, which is audible in Rwanda. Rwandans who used to travel to Goma have significantly reduced their trips.

At 4:00 PM, Rwandans are the majority heading to Goma, but at the major border post, long queues of Congolese heading to Rwanda have formed. Some people in the queue include Congolese and foreigners with light bags.

Vehicles carrying Congolese people heading to Bukavu, Uvira, and Bujumbura have increased at the large border post connecting Goma and Gisenyi.

At the small border post linking Goma and Gisenyi, people are crossing with goods into Goma. Rwandans interviewed by Kigali Today mentioned that they do not go beyond Birere. “We don’t trust our safety in Goma, we are delivering goods close to the border and then returning,” one said.

Although more people are entering Rwanda, some are still heading to Goma, most of them having documents from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Intense fighting between M23 fighters and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) is happening on the outskirts of Sake and Mugunga, with many refugees heading to Goma. The fighting is now closing in on Goma, after M23 took control of areas leading to South Kivu, with reports indicating that these fighters are now just 62 kilometers away from Goma, heading toward Bukavu.

At 6:00 PM, numerous FARDC military vehicles were heading to the battlefront near Sake, where explosions could be heard.

In addition to Sake and Minova, it is reported that M23 fighters have also entered Matanda Island near Nzulo, which continues to alarm the residents of Goma.

The FARDC spokesperson in North Kivu, Lt. Col. Njike Kaiko, issued a directive stating that no small boats are allowed to operate during the night or early morning hours to protect Goma.

Meanwhile, large boats carrying people were still operating on Lake Kivu on January 22, while air traffic in Goma has decreased by about 70%. Goma’s airport, which typically receives or sends off flights within 30 minutes, now experiences delays of over an hour without any aircraft arriving or departing.

Concerns are high among the residents of Goma, and even those transporting goods to Goma are avoiding crossing. Most vehicles are stuck in Gisenyi. People who run truck parking businesses for those heading to Congo report that the trucks are not crossing, mainly due to the security risks in Goma.

The fighting continues in the Masisi and Lubero areas, with reports indicating that some M23 fighters have moved toward Butembo, while others are heading down to South Kivu, and still others are advancing toward Masisi toward Walikale.

North Kivu, covering an area of 59,483 km², has seen territories captured by M23, including the Rutshuru and Masisi territories covering 5,289 km² and 4,734 km², respectively, while Nyiragongo covers 333 km². The fighting is also ongoing in the Walikale territory, covering 23,475 km², and Lubero with 18,096 km², while the remainder is 7,484 km².

Source: Kigali Today