Democratic Congolese government estimates at least 5,000 dead in Goma
According to the government in Kinshasa, at least 5,000 people have died in the fighting around the eastern Congolese provincial capital of Goma.
19.02.2025, 12:07
SDA
So far, more than 5,000 bodies have been buried, said government spokesman Patrick Muyaya at a press conference on Tuesday evening (local time).
However, based on the number of patients from hospitals and other health facilities, the Ministry of Health assumes that the number of dead could rise to up to 8,000.
UN reports had last mentioned 2,900 recovered dead. The rebel militia M23 advanced into Goma at the end of January and captured the city within a few days. On Saturday, the group also reported the capture of Bukavu - the capital of the neighboring province of South Kivu.
The government in Kinshasa accuses neighboring Rwanda of supporting the M23. UN experts share this assessment and assume that there are at least 4,000 Rwandan soldiers in eastern Congo.
The wealth of raw materials in eastern Congo plays an important role in the conflict. Among other things, the M23 has taken control of coltan mines there. The rare metal is needed for the production of smartphones, laptops and batteries for electric cars, for example. The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of selling raw materials smuggled from the Democratic Republic of Congo on international markets.
