After a relatively calm night marked by anxiety and uncertainty, residents of the city of Goma, in North Kivu, were awakened on Tuesday by the detonations of heavy and light weapons which were still resonating at midday in several neighborhoods, including Birere and Bujovu, located near the airport.
According to local sources, the Congolese army and the M23 rebels are still fighting over the strategic control of the airport.
The question of “who actually controls the mountain city?” remains unclear.
While FARDC units are visible in certain districts, particularly in the city centre, the M23 rebels are said to be positioned in the western part of Goma.
At the same time, scenes of looting continue to be reported, particularly in the Katindo district where a few curious residents have come out despite the danger to try to assess the situation.
Until Tuesday morning, all activities remained paralyzed and internet access remained cut off.
However, the exact toll remains difficult to establish due to the ongoing clashes and the difficulties of accessing the affected areas.
On the border between the DRC and Rwanda, the situation is also very tense, according to some sources.
After a Monday marked by violent incidents, the Rwandan government says that mortar fire and stray bullets from Goma caused the death of at least five people and around thirty others were wonnded in the Rwandan city of Gisenyi.
