On Saturday, Congo’s health ministry said Goma’s morgues held 773 bodies. Morgues were full, with more bodies on the streets. The ministry recorded 2,880 wounded between January 26 and 30.
M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, seized Goma on Tuesday. The city is North Kivu’s capital and rich in minerals. Rebels then advanced toward Bukavu in South Kivu but slowed on Friday after facing Congolese and Burundian troops.
M23 is the latest Rwandan-backed rebel group in eastern Congo since wars triggered by Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. The conflict has worsened a humanitarian crisis, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee. Thousands more entered Goma this month as rebels advanced.
Humanitarian agencies struggled amid fighting. Hospitals were overwhelmed, and warehouses looted. Crossfire endangered aid workers. On Friday, Médecins Sans Frontières said it had nearly run out of medicine and stopped assisting displacement camps. The World Food Programme evacuated staff and suspended operations. The health ministry reported shortages of medical supplies, ambulances, and body bags. Security risks restricted access to some areas.
By Saturday, life in Goma was slowly resuming. The UN reported human rights violations, including executions, bombing of camps, and sexual violence. M23 tried to portray itself as a governing force by restoring power, water, and schools while allowing displaced people to return. Markets reopened, but food remained scarce.
Some people left displacement camps. Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo, said roads had reopened and called for NGO support.
By Saturday, the Congolese army had regained some ground. Local leaders reported troops recapturing villages in Kalehe. Some residents resumed daily activities, but clashes continued elsewhere
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