A rebel army widely believed to be backed by the Rwandan government has taken over Goma, a city in eastern DR Congo bordering Rwanda. Many are concerned that this action could spark a much larger regional war.
Col. Sultani Makenga of the rebel forces formerly known as M23, now the Congolese Revolutionary Army.
This is a big deal folks. Remember the last time you didn’t pay attention to what was happening in this neck of the woods? Remember that movie, Hotel Rwanda? Rwandan President Paul Kagame is a darling of the west, but he also seems to be backing this illegal military invasion of a neighboring country. How will the world respond? See news reports listed below:
For a broader look at Rwanda’s critical role in this part of Eastern-Central Africa, see my report Re:Visiting Rwanda. I was among a gang of journalists who (thanks to the International Reporting Project program) visited this beautiful country and got a chance to interview the enigmatic Kagame. That was before this rebel uprising and the reports of Rwanda’s backing of the militias.
The news today:
NYTimes Congo Rebels Seize Goma
NBC Rebels backed by Rwanda take over Congo City
Deutsche Welle Rebels take control of Goma
BBC Why Goma matters
The Atlantic After the Fall of Goma: The M23’s Western Front
International Crisis Group Avoiding Regional War in DR Congo
AllAfrica More than 200,000 displaced by fighting
Paris Match Photos from the conflict
OpEd Guardian We are all to blame for the agony of Congo
