By By Micheal Chukwuebuka
HEAVY artillery fire has been pounding the Congolese city of Goma, prompting France to warn that the regional capital is on the verge of being overrun by militia fighters and Rwandan troops.
The M23 armed group, backed by Rwandan soldiers, stormed into Goma’s city center on Sunday night, capping weeks of advances on the key city in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mineral-rich North Kivu province.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has condemned the Rwanda-backed offensive, urging that it “must stop” and expressing France’s solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
International pressure is mounting to end the battle for Goma, with Kenya announcing that Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame have agreed to attend a summit within the next two days.
Reports reaching Stonix News indicate that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers, along with M23 fighters, have been besieging Goma for several days.
The situation remains dire, with artillery fire still rocking the city and hospitals overwhelmed with wounded civilians.
What's your reaction?
