GOMA, Jan 26, (V7N) – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has withdrawn its diplomats from Kigali as Rwanda-backed M23 fighters advanced on the key eastern city of Goma, intensifying fears of an escalating crisis.

“Rwanda is determined to seize the city of Goma,” Congolese army spokesman General Sylvain Ekenge said late Saturday.

The United Nations Security Council announced it had brought forward an emergency meeting on the crisis to Sunday, while the African Union, European Union, and French President Emmanuel Macron joined calls for an immediate halt to hostilities.

Peacekeepers and Civilians in Crossfire
The conflict has already claimed the lives of 13 peacekeepers. South Africa’s defence ministry reported nine soldiers killed by Friday, including seven from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force and two UN peacekeepers. Malawi announced the deaths of three soldiers, and Uruguay reported one peacekeeper killed and four others wounded.

An AFP reporter witnessed a burned-out MONUSCO armoured vehicle near Sake, where fighting has been fierce. In Goma, artillery detonations reverberated across the city as the Congolese army vowed to "push back the enemy."

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported treating more than 100 people wounded since Thursday, while over 400,000 people have been displaced since January, according to UN figures.

Global Condemnation of Rwanda’s Role
The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accused Rwanda of supporting M23 in violation of international law, urging Kigali to withdraw. The African Union condemned the violence and called for immediate action to protect civilians.

Angolan President João Lourenço, the African Union’s mediator for the crisis, denounced M23 and its supporters for actions that risk destabilizing the region.

Macron, in calls with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, also demanded an immediate cessation of fighting.

Evacuations and Warnings
The UN has begun evacuating non-essential staff from Goma to Uganda and Kinshasa, while Germany joined Britain, France, and the United States in urging its nationals to leave the region.

The DRC formally announced the withdrawal of its diplomats from Rwanda, escalating diplomatic tensions.

Background and Diplomatic Deadlock
Goma, home to over a million people, has long been a flashpoint in the conflict-ridden eastern DRC. The M23 rebellion, backed by an estimated 3,000-4,000 Rwandan soldiers, has exacerbated the region's humanitarian crisis.

The DRC accuses Rwanda of seeking control over the area’s rich resources, a claim Rwanda denies. The conflict has stalled diplomatic efforts, including a December meeting between Tshisekedi and Kagame as part of an Angola-led peace process, which was canceled last minute.

Regional and UN Responses
MONUSCO has actively engaged M23 fighters with heavy artillery but has faced criticism from Rwanda for its language, including the use of the term “final solution” in its statements.

Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo called for dialogue between the DRC government and aggrieved Congolese communities, warning against incendiary rhetoric.

With violence escalating, international actors remain focused on halting the crisis, but the path to peace remains uncertain as tensions mount around the embattled city of Goma.

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