Goma: The eastern city of Goma "did not completely fall" to M23 rebels, the Democratic Republic of Congo stated on Monday. "The situation (in Goma) is urgent to protect human lives," government spokesman Patrick Muyaya expressed during a televised program in Kinshasa. Earlier on Monday, M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Kigali, claimed they had taken control of Goma, while Kinshasa accused Rwandan forces of being present in the city. Muyaya later mentioned that the government is "working to prevent any carnage" and stated that they had regained control of the national television, which had been briefly seized by the rebels.
According to Anadolu Agency, several individuals were killed as M23 rebels "seized" Goma, the provincial capital of eastern North Kivu province, following days of intense fighting that displaced thousands of civilians. Officials in Rwanda reported that five citizens were killed by cross-border fire from Congo. A Congolese cleric in Goma, Fepaco Nzambe Malamu, noted that some residents were hit by stray bullets in their homes. There has been no official comment on the casualty count.
Local news portal Media Congo reported that bombs dropped in several neighborhoods and camps for internally displaced people in Goma, resulting in numerous casualties. Muhindo Nzangi, a national legislator for North Kivu's capital, claimed that the bombs causing damage in the city were fired from Rwanda. He told Top Congo Radio that all soldiers entering the city had come through the Rwandan border. Rwanda Defense Force spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga confirmed that several bombs were fired into Rwanda's Rubavu district by the Congolese army, resulting in five deaths and 35 injuries.
At least 13 peacekeepers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional force and the UN mission in Congo (MONUSCO) have been killed since M23 rebels renewed their offensive last week. Congo and others accuse Rwanda of supporting the group, a claim that Rwanda denies. M23 claims it is defending the interests of minority Congolese Tutsis, who allege discrimination due to their ethnic ties to Rwanda's Tutsi community.
The Rwandan army reported that over 120 Congolese soldiers surrendered and disarmed in Rwanda following the fall of Goma to M23 rebels. Footage released by Rwanda Broadcasting Agency showed troops handing over their arms to Rwandan security officers after crossing into Rwanda's Rubavu district. Internet watchdog NetBlocks reported ongoing disruptions to connectivity at the Goma internet exchange amidst the military escalation with Rwanda, as authorities implement measures to counter what they describe as "Rwandan propaganda."