welcome
BBC

BBC

World

World

Goma under the M23: BBC visits DR Congo city under rebel control

BBC
Summary
Nutrition label

79% Informative

Last week M23 rebels captured Goma , an eastern city of nearly two million people, after a lighting advance in DR Congo's eastern region.

At least 700 people in the city were killed and close to 3,000 injured as the rebels clashed with the army and its allies.

M23 , which is made up of ethnic Tutsis , say they are fighting for minority rights, while DR Congo says the Rwanda -backed rebels are seeking control of the eastern region's mineral wealth.

M23 fighters are now reported to be moving south towards Bukavu , the capital of South Kivu , and have vowed to reach capital city Kinshasa .

The Congolese government accuses M23 of illegally occupying their land -with the support of Rwanda - and promises to recover any lost territory.