M23 rebels seize control of Goma airport as Rwanda's Kagame calls for ceasefire

M23 rebels have taken control of large areas in Goma, eastern Congo, including the airport, according to the United Nations. This marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, with many residents fleeing amid violence. Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has called for a ceasefire, emphasizing the need to address the conflict's root causes. Despite Rwanda's denial of support for M23, reports suggest up to 4,000 Rwandan forces are present in Congo. M23, primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis, plans to establish an administration in Goma to restore normalcy. Analysts indicate that securing a rebel withdrawal may be more challenging than in 2012, when M23 last captured the city.