Goma

UNICEF Denounces Horrific Crimes Against Children in Eastern Congo The grim reality of conflict often unearths the most harrowing stories, and eastern Congo stands as a stark testament to this truth. It's here that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) recently raised the alarm over the rampant abuse of children. But here's the wrenching part: this isn't just any news—it involves the unspeakable crime of child rape, allegedly by armed factions on both sides of the ongoing conflict. UNICEF's recent declaration…

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has issued a fervent warning concerning the worsening humanitarian plight in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), with a pronounced emphasis on the tumultuous region of South Kivu province. As one might wonder, how did a place so inherently rich become a breeding ground for crises of such magnitude? Director-General Jean Kaseya, in an expression resembling both concern and urgency, articulated during a weekly virtual press briefing that the…

The return of the Banyene family to Sake, a town in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was anything but a jubilant homecoming. If one expected a warm embrace from familiar walls, a comforting breeze whispering stories from childhood pasts, they would find only disappointment. What greeted the Banyenes in January was desolation—a crumbling wall, a sagging metal roof, and the cold, metallic remnants of violence. It seems absurd to refer to such a bleak tableau as 'home.' Their yard, now more battlefield residue…

As the sun reluctantly rose over Goma, painting the sky in hues tinged with both hope and despair, the air was thick with an unsettling silence. Was this the calm after the storm or merely an interlude before the next tempest? The Red Cross team moved purposefully, carrying the staggering weight of grief as they began the solemn task of laying to rest the victims of clashes between the M23 rebels and the Congolese army. At the ITIG Cemetery, shadows of bereavement stretched long over the ground that holds more stories than…

Refugees heading to the CBCA Mugunga Church, which sits within the expansive Mugunga IDP camp in Goma, offer a snapshot of resilience amidst adversity. (Photo Credit: Michel Lunanga/AFP) Mary Ashuza, burdened by the enormity of circumstances beyond her control, walked westwards from Goma. In a scene far too common in the war-ravaged landscapes of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), she and her children clutched onto the remnants of their lives packed into bundles they could carry. From the farmsteads of…

At the Gisenyi border point of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a scene rife with tension unfolds as rebels from the March 23 Movement (M23) assert their dominance. Supported by Rwanda, the M23 rebels are tightening their hold on Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC, marking a severe setback for the Congolese army and escalating a conflict that has, over the years, cost countless lives and displaced millions. The M23, infamous for their strategic maneuvers, made their entrance into Goma on a rather somber…

In a corner of the world often scarred by turmoil, the picturesque city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo finds itself shrouded in a thick cloud of violence once more. The relentless guns and recrudescent battles between the M23 insurgent faction and national forces have thrust the city into a maelstrom of chaos, displacing countless souls and quaking the very foundation of livelihoods and trade.

The M23, an armed group notorious for its tumultuous past, takes a somber stroll with the locals down Keshero neighborhood’s bustling streets in Goma. These scenes unfolded on a striking winter's day — Jan. 27, 2025. GOMA, CONGO — Amidst whispered rumors and tense anticipation, a seismic diplomatic discussion looms on the horizon. Kenyan President, William Ruto, voiced a pivotal announcement on Monday, heralding a consequential meeting on Wednesday. Both President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Félix Tshisekedi of…

Three months after the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, life resumed in Goma. But experts say residents are yet to come out of the woods and the threat to the city remains. Fearing that one day this regional capital of the DR Congo will disappear under the lava, researchers, authorities and…

Reactions in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, after the President of Rwanda recently visited this volcanic city in northern Kivu for a bilateral meeting with his Congolese counterpart Félix Tshisekedi. During a press conference on Saturday afternoon, Paul Kagame urged Congolese and Rwandans to flip through the past, look ahead and live together. The residents of Goma did not remain indifferent…