M23 Rebels Take Goma

Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have taken control of Goma, the main city in the country's mineral-rich east border, after several days of fighting with UN-backed government forces. The rebel group calling themselves M23, the Heavily armed rebels strolled through the center of the city that is home to over one million people, without facing the bloodbath that was expected on Tuesday, the United Nations peacekeepers even observed small groups of residents greeted them.  "The town of Goma fell at 11:33 local time, despite the attack helicopters, the heavy weapons, the FARDC [Congolese army] has let the town fall into our hands," a rebel M23 spokesman, told the Reuters news agency by phone. The rebels have reportedly taken control of the border posts between Goma and Gisenyi, a town on the Rwandan side of the border, the AFP news agency said. Lambert Mende, a government spokesman, warned of the consequences of an M23 takeover of the city, blaming neighboring Rwanda for backing the rebels. Joseph Kabila, the country's president, urged people in Goma to "resist" the rebels' advancement. "DR Congo is today confronted with a difficult situation," Kabila said on national television. "When a war is imposed, one has an obligation to resist. I ask that the entire population defend our sovereignty."  DR Congo and Rwanda have already fought two wars, the most recent of which ended in 2003 after lasting nearly six years. The latest round of fighting erupted last week after the US and the UN imposed sanctions on the leader of the M23 rebels, Sultani Makenga. Makenga is accused of atrocities including masterminding killings, rapes, abductions and recruiting child soldiers. The rebels have said they plan to fight the DR Congo government "until it falls". The M23 rebels had a Town meeting to explain to the people what their rebel group stands for. It also stood for a chance for the Congo Government's police to join the rebel forces. The DRC has to either fight or continue letting the M23 rebel group to dictate how the country will be run. The mineral rich DRC is again having its rich lands exploited by neighboring countries and rebel groups. I am not usually one to encourage fighting but I back the Congo president that the people need to fight back. As long as the Congolese army was also supporting the defense. The fact that residents greeted the war criminal Makenga shows to me that the people of Goma are confused or not sure about who they want as their Leader. Article link: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/11/20121120102140544513.html