*Goma capture sparks fears of deeper regional conflict as Rwanda-backed rebels push south* The capture this week of Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo by M23 rebels and Rwandan troops has triggered a humanitarian and diplomatic crisis that risks expanding into an even deeper regional conflict. The city of around two million was crammed with people seeking shelter as the fighting neared. Another 800,000 were in displacement camps in and around Goma and are scattering into a countryside where abuse by armed groups is rife. There is little water, or electricity, and aid warehouses have been looted by the desperate. The fortunate are those that stockpiled food in advance, while everyone else has to deal with shuttered markets and rocketing prices at the few stalls that remain open. The assault on Goma came as a surprise, some residents say. There was faith that 300-odd Romanian and French mercenaries would defend the city – hired to bolster a demoralised national army known as FARDC and their militia allies. Read more: https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2025/01/31/drc-goma-capture-sparks-fears-deeper-regional-conflict-rwanda-backed-rebels-m23