The March 23 rebels movement, popularly known as the M 23 rebels movement have sized the eastern town of Goma from Government Forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kinshasa / NationalTurk – This development has triggered widespread concerns about the humanitarian situation in the region which is divided by armed conflict, widespread displacement and attacks on civilians.

The United Nations were due to asses the situation on last week Sunday but was forced to cancel it as a result of the security situation in the North Kivu Province – of which Goma is the capital.

Residents told local reporters that rebel spokesman Vianney Kazarama announced that they should carry on with their normal activities, saying the M 23 was there for their security. He also said he provided his own phone number and that of his two intelligence officers for citizens to call if they had any concerns and urged Government force to give up and report themselves to M 23.

“We can see the M23 patrolling the main road that runs through our neighborhood, It’s a relief that the fighting ended quite quickly , but we’re worried about the possibility of a counter attack by Government forces’’ some residents told reporters.

United Nations Security Council backs calls for sanctions against M 23

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council has moved swiftly to convey emergency meeting with leaders from Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC.

Uganda and Rwanda have both been accused by UN expert group of backing the M 23 rebels a case which triggered Rwanda threatened to sue the United Nations.

France was reported to have stated that the members of the Security Council strongly condemned the rebel seizure of Goma and asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to look into reports that external support had greatly increased the rebels’ military capability.

The United Nations therefore agreed to sanctions the rebels group but many people are confused as what the sanction is going to be as the leader of the rebel group is already under sanction by the United States of America.

Issaka Adams/NationalTurk Africa News

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