Main content

M23 controls Goma according to UN

The city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo sits right on this vast country's eastern border, next to Rwanda. It's a vital hub - commercially and strategically - and a major prize for the group of rebels, known as M23, who have been edging ever closer to capturing it over the past few days. It's also home to nearly two million people - perhaps half a million of which are people who've fled the fighting as the rebels advanced. They're now caught up in the thick of it once again with conditions in Goma deteriorating fast. A meeting between the presidents of DRC and Rwanda - which backs the rebels - was meant to take place in Kenya, but now looks like it's off, despite growing international calls for a ceasefire. Newshour's James Menendez spoke to Vivian van de Perre, who's in Goma -- she's deputy head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC -- and asked her, who controls Goma right now?

(Photo: Vivian van de Perre)

Release date:

Duration:

7 minutes