A mass prison break in Goma, a city in the conflict-stricken eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has left deaths in its wake after the facility, housing about 3,000 inmates, was “totally torched,” according to security sources. The incident occurred early Monday as fighters from the armed M23 group, backed by Rwandan troops, entered the city.

Fleeing prisoners were seen in nearby streets as gunfire echoed through Goma’s center late Sunday night. Explosions rocked the capital of North Kivu province, a region rich in minerals but plagued by decades of militia violence, ethnic conflicts, and international tensions.

_Goma Under Siege_

The recent clashes are part of an ongoing battle between M23 fighters, supported by Rwandan forces, and the Congolese army, with UN peacekeepers also caught in the conflict. The fighting has led to the rapid advance of M23 forces, heightening fears of Goma’s fall.

Accusations are flying between the DRC and Rwanda, with Kinshasa accusing Kigali of waging war by openly deploying troops to support M23. Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner described the situation as “a frontal assault” and called on the United Nations to impose sanctions on Rwanda.

_International Reactions and Calls for Peace_

The UN Security Council issued a statement urging the withdrawal of “external forces” from the DRC but refrained from directly naming Rwanda. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on Kigali to withdraw its troops and cease support for the M23.

Meanwhile, Kenya has announced an emergency summit of the East African Community to facilitate peace talks between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. Kenyan President William Ruto expressed hopes that the meeting would “deliberate on this crisis and chart a way forward.”

_Humanitarian Crisis Worsens_

Goma, home to over a million residents and nearly as many displaced people, is at the center of a worsening humanitarian crisis. The region has also seen mounting casualties among UN peacekeepers and regional forces. Over the weekend, 13 soldiers from South Africa, Malawi, and Uruguay lost their lives in the escalating violence.

The current conflict echoes Goma’s brief occupation by M23 forces in 2012 before they were defeated by Congolese and UN troops in 2013. Despite several ceasefires and peace agreements, the region remains volatile, with mineral wealth often cited as a driver of the violence.

As the situation deteriorates, both the DRC and Rwanda have withdrawn their diplomats, signaling a complete breakdown in relations. The international community continues to push for dialogue, but the path to peace remains uncertain in this deeply fractured region.

Channelstv