More than 900 people died in fighting for the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last week, the United Nations said Monday, as African leaders agreed to meet to discuss the conflict.
“At least 900 bodies have been recovered from the streets, not including those already in morgues,” the UN said in a statement, citing the World Health Organisation. The UN agency warned about the spread of diseases such as mpox, cholera and measles “due to the displacement of populations who do not have easy access to medical care.”
In Goma, some businesses have reopened and are assessing damage although schools remain closed, the UN said. Homes, businesses and warehouses holding humanitarian equipment for UN and aid agencies were looted during the violence and the city of 2 million is in desperate need of fuel and medical supplies, it said.
M23 rebels continue to press southward over the weekend, clashing with Congo’s army, which has support from allied militias and troops from neighbouring Burundi. UN and African leaders have all warned the conflict could explode into a regional war.
Two regional blocs — the Southern African Development Community and the East African Community — will hold a joint summit February 7-8 in Tanzania. The presidents of Congo and Rwanda plan to attend the meeting, Kenyan president William Ruto said Monday.
