Tanzanian Troops Trapped in Goma Seek Evacuation Amid M23 Control

Over four dozen Tanzanian soldiers are reportedly trapped near Goma’s airport, calling for urgent rescue and evacuation as M23 rebels solidify their control of the city. Precisely, 43 troops are said to be holed up in a storage facility containing minerals and supplies, unable to escape due to the heavy presence of M23 forces.

Tanzanian troops, who have been largely absent from visible operations in the ongoing conflict, surfaced under siege in this precarious position. Attempts to contact UN peacekeepers under MONUSCO reportedly failed, as the troops lacked direct communication channels. Moreover, neither MONUSCO nor FARDC could intervene, given M23’s complete capture of Goma.

By press time, the fate of the trapped soldiers remained uncertain. However, sources within M23 stated that they have no intentions of killing or capturing foreign troops. The group claims to have issued an ultimatum for all foreign forces to leave or surrender, which they say was ignored.

“It’s their fault they were caught under fire,” an M23 source told reporters. “We gave clear warnings, but they chose to undermine them.”

This development highlights the complexities of the ongoing conflict in Goma, where multiple actors, both local and foreign, are entangled in a volatile and rapidly evolving situation. The presence of foreign troops in the midst of this crisis raises questions about their objectives and the challenges of coordinating operations in a region dominated by M23 forces.