NEW DELHI, Jan 31: With the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group seizing control of Goma, a key city in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and advancing south towards Bukavu, India today called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Most of the around 1,000 Indian nationals who were living in Goma have moved to safer locations.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a briefing:
“We are closely following the developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC].
“We remain concerned at the deteriorating security situation. We call for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Our Embassy in Kinshasa has issued advisories for Indians living in the Goma area where the conflict has taken place.
“There are about 1,000 Indian nationals who were living in Goma, but most of them have moved to safer places since the outbreak of the conflict. The Embassy remains in regular touch with the community for their welfare and safety.
“There are around 1,200 Indian troops serving in the country as part of the United Nations MONUSCO peacekeeping mission in eastern DRC. We are in regular touch with the UN on the evolving situation in DRC.”
The M23 rebels have been gaining ground in DR Congo’s mineral-rich eastern borderlands, and on Sunday conquered Goma, the biggest city in North Kivu province.
The capture of Goma marks a major escalation in the long-running conflict in the region, which has already displaced more than a million people and led to widespread violence.
The humanitarian situation in eastern DRC is dire with hospitals overwhelmed following the recent escalation. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes to escape the violence.
On Thursday, the Indian Embassy in Kinshasa, the capital of DRC, asked Indian nationals in Bukavu, South Kivu, in eastern DRC, to depart to safer locations amid the escalation of fighting with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
In an advisory, the Indian Embassy said it is closely monitoring the situation in eastern DRC, and added that amidst the fighting it is limited in its ability to provide consular assistance. It asked Indians to prepare their own emergency plans.
It said: “We have noted the reports of M23 movements of rebels toward Bukavu, located 200 km from Goma”. The M23 rebels have already taken control of Goma, the capital of mineral-rich North Kivu province, and are moving westwards toward Bukavu.
It said: “Given the potential of instability in the region, all Indian nationals residing in Bukavu are advised to depart to safer locations while the airports, borders and commercial routes are still open.
We strongly recommend against any travel to Bukavu.”
“Under the present circumstances, Embassy is limited in its ability to provide consular services/assistance. Therefore, it is recommended all to prepare your own personal emergency plans.”
It also advised that Indians keep with them at all times all essential identity and travel documents, and medicines, ready-to-eat food, clothing etc in a bag that can be carried easily; “prepare a personal emergency plan that does not rely upon support of the Indian embassy”; monitor local media channels for updates; avoid large gatherings/crowds/demonstrations; keep a low profile.
It said in case of any emergency, they could contact an official of the embassy Vishnu Dayal Mahto +243890024313/cons.kinshasa@mea.gov.in.
(UNI)
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