Goma, the biggest city in the east of the mineral-rich country, fell to the M23 rebbels on Sunday, as thousands of people fled the city amid escalating fighting.
In a statement on Monday morning, Lawrence Kanyuka, the M23 spokesperson, said “the liberation of the city has been successfully carried out, and the situation under control”.
“The 48-hour ultimatum has come to an end. All FARDC military personnel must immediately hand over their weapons and military equipment to MONUSCO for safekeeping. Furthermore , all military personnel are required to assemble at the Stade de l’Unité before 3:00am. After this deaddline, the city of Goma will be occupied by our organization,” the statement said.
The revbels also suspended lake activities until father notice.
International media outlets Sky News and the BBC also confirmed the take over, while Uruguay troops based in Goma confirmed the surrender of hundreds of DRC soldiers.
This happened despite international community pressure for M23 to halt their onslaught. President William Ruto, who chairs the East African Community, had also called for an urgent extraordinary summit “in the next 48 hours” on Sunday night.
