Goma, DR Congo – Widespread panic swept through the city of Goma and the Nyiragongo territory on Tuesday following rumors that the M23 rebel movement was forcibly recruiting civilians, including children, from local schools.
AfricaHeadline Reports Team
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Parents, fearing for the safety of their children, rushed into schools in a frantic attempt to retrieve them, while others fled in fear. The situation quickly escalated as distress spread across the city.
However, both school officials and M23 representatives strongly refuted the allegations, labeling them as a “disinformation campaign.” The rebel group, which recently consolidated control over key areas in eastern DR Congo, insisted that no such recruitment was taking place.
“The public should remain calm,” an M23 spokesperson in Goma said. “We have never engaged in forced recruitment in areas under our control.”
Despite these assurances, the rumors have sparked deep anxiety among the local population, with civil society leaders urging authorities to take immediate measures to reassure residents.
The fears come against the backdrop of worsening displacement in the region. According to the United Nations, recent clashes in Lubero Territory, north of Goma, have forced more than 100,000 people from their homes in just one week.
The M23 rebels, who launched a fresh offensive in eastern DR Congo in 2021, have been on a rapid territorial advance, capturing several strategic towns and cities. The escalation of violence has intensified concerns over the humanitarian crisis in the region, as thousands continue to flee the conflict.
As tensions rise, calls for de-escalation and international intervention grow louder, with local leaders emphasizing the urgent need for stability in eastern DR Congo.
