Emmett Livingstone

Streets are completely empty where I am at the moment in central Goma. Over the last few days, artillery could be heard coming from the outskirts of the city, and that transitioned into a constant crackle of small arms fire last night, which I'm still hearing as we speak. Goma has been without electricity for two or three days.

Streets are completely empty where I am at the moment in central Goma. Over the last few days, artillery could be heard coming from the outskirts of the city, and that transitioned into a constant crackle of small arms fire last night, which I'm still hearing as we speak. Goma has been without electricity for two or three days.

Streets are completely empty where I am at the moment in central Goma. Over the last few days, artillery could be heard coming from the outskirts of the city, and that transitioned into a constant crackle of small arms fire last night, which I'm still hearing as we speak. Goma has been without electricity for two or three days.

So most people are cowering indoors and struggling to charge their phones. Water shortages are also prevalent and shops are closed. There's been a mass breakout at the prison in Goma and many soldiers have fled or are in hiding. Though the rebel group is claiming that they're in control of Goma, the government so far hasn't communicated.

So most people are cowering indoors and struggling to charge their phones. Water shortages are also prevalent and shops are closed. There's been a mass breakout at the prison in Goma and many soldiers have fled or are in hiding. Though the rebel group is claiming that they're in control of Goma, the government so far hasn't communicated.

So most people are cowering indoors and struggling to charge their phones. Water shortages are also prevalent and shops are closed. There's been a mass breakout at the prison in Goma and many soldiers have fled or are in hiding. Though the rebel group is claiming that they're in control of Goma, the government so far hasn't communicated.

So it's a very complicated story, but zooming way out, a lot of the violence in eastern Congo has its roots in the Rwandan genocide in 1994 between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups, which then spilled over into Congo. The M23 has its roots in Tutsi-led rebellions in Congo. The group captured Goma very briefly in 2012 and then went underground, but it launched a major rebellion again in 2021.

So it's a very complicated story, but zooming way out, a lot of the violence in eastern Congo has its roots in the Rwandan genocide in 1994 between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups, which then spilled over into Congo. The M23 has its roots in Tutsi-led rebellions in Congo. The group captured Goma very briefly in 2012 and then went underground, but it launched a major rebellion again in 2021.

So it's a very complicated story, but zooming way out, a lot of the violence in eastern Congo has its roots in the Rwandan genocide in 1994 between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups, which then spilled over into Congo. The M23 has its roots in Tutsi-led rebellions in Congo. The group captured Goma very briefly in 2012 and then went underground, but it launched a major rebellion again in 2021.

It says that it's fighting to protect minorities. The UN says that the group's latest rebellion, though, has been supported heavily by Rwanda, which has de facto invaded Congo and has thousands of soldiers operating alongside the M23. And they're also using very sophisticated weaponry. On Sunday, they were flying an attack drone over the battlefield.

It says that it's fighting to protect minorities. The UN says that the group's latest rebellion, though, has been supported heavily by Rwanda, which has de facto invaded Congo and has thousands of soldiers operating alongside the M23. And they're also using very sophisticated weaponry. On Sunday, they were flying an attack drone over the battlefield.

It says that it's fighting to protect minorities. The UN says that the group's latest rebellion, though, has been supported heavily by Rwanda, which has de facto invaded Congo and has thousands of soldiers operating alongside the M23. And they're also using very sophisticated weaponry. On Sunday, they were flying an attack drone over the battlefield.

Congo has broken off relations with Rwanda and withdrawn diplomatic staff. Tell us about why this is happening in this particular region. No one can say for sure why this is happening and especially why Rwanda is so heavily involved. But analysts say that Rwanda wants a say in eastern Congo, which is an area full of mineral riches.

Congo has broken off relations with Rwanda and withdrawn diplomatic staff. Tell us about why this is happening in this particular region. No one can say for sure why this is happening and especially why Rwanda is so heavily involved. But analysts say that Rwanda wants a say in eastern Congo, which is an area full of mineral riches.

Congo has broken off relations with Rwanda and withdrawn diplomatic staff. Tell us about why this is happening in this particular region. No one can say for sure why this is happening and especially why Rwanda is so heavily involved. But analysts say that Rwanda wants a say in eastern Congo, which is an area full of mineral riches.

And they point out that Rwanda wants to apply maximum pressure on the Congolese government. Regional dynamics are also likely at play with Rwanda competing for influence in the region against rival states. So how is the international community responding to this?

And they point out that Rwanda wants to apply maximum pressure on the Congolese government. Regional dynamics are also likely at play with Rwanda competing for influence in the region against rival states. So how is the international community responding to this?

And they point out that Rwanda wants to apply maximum pressure on the Congolese government. Regional dynamics are also likely at play with Rwanda competing for influence in the region against rival states. So how is the international community responding to this?

UN peacekeepers and Western private military contractors have been fighting alongside the Congolese army, as well as troops from African allies such as South Africa, Tanzania, Malawi and Burundi. But with the collapse of the Congolese army, these defenders are no longer in action. On Sunday night, the UN, the US and France called on Rwanda to withdraw.

UN peacekeepers and Western private military contractors have been fighting alongside the Congolese army, as well as troops from African allies such as South Africa, Tanzania, Malawi and Burundi. But with the collapse of the Congolese army, these defenders are no longer in action. On Sunday night, the UN, the US and France called on Rwanda to withdraw.