In Pictures

M23 fighters capture Goma in the DR Congo

More than 750,000 people have been displaced by violence in eastern Congo this year.
Phil Moore Last Modified: 23 Nov 2012 12:20

M23 rebels, a movement that is just six months old, have taken Goma, a major city in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It took them just four days to advance on the city, defeating the government army and proving the United Nations peacekeepers impotent, who had vowed to defend the major city on the Rwandan border.

Following running gun-battles in Goma on Tuesday morning, the rebels marched down major boulevards just after midday, unhindered by UN troops who watched on as they reached the shore of Lake Kivu.

Despite minor bursts of gun-fire throughout the afternoon, the city was largely calm by evening. The following morning, residents woke to their new masters, who announced their intention to march on Bukavu, the capital of a neighbouring province, whilst bodies still lay in the streets.

More than 750,000 people have been displaced by violence in eastern Congo this year, and on Thursday their number increased as fresh fighting broke out in Sake, some 26km from Goma. The rebels had secured the town - en-route to Bukavu - the previous day, but afternoon gun-battles and mortar fire caused tens of thousands to flee.

With no end to the fighting in sight, the situation remains precarious.
/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
Some 767,000 have been displaced in the east of Congo, and with no end to the fighting in sight, their plight remains dire.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
M23 rebels stood at the gates of Goma earlier this week, having rapidly gained ground against the Congolese government army.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
The United Nations had vowed to protect the city against an imminent rebel advance, patrolling the city and holding defensive positions outside the city.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
The Congolese army deployed heavily throughout the city as they were beaten back from the city's outskirts.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
Despite the defences of the army, and the support by the United Nations, on Tuesday rebels marched into Goma, rapidly securing the border with Rwanda.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
Coming from the north, they advanced throughout the city up to the shore of Lake Kivu.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
The following day, Wednesday, rebels held a public rally, inviting the local population to come to hear what the rebels stand for.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
The rally was also an opporunity for government police officers to surrender and to join the rebel force.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
M23 rebel spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Vianney Kazarama addressed thousands of residents of Goma, saying that M23 would push-on from Goma and onto Bukavu.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
As the city woke to its new masters, bodies from the previous day's battle still lay in the streets.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
Lokuli Loleko Prince, 24, had learned that his father had been killed in the fighting, but only found his body in the streets the next day.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
Many civilians were also injured in the fighting. Twelve year-old Kakule Elie was hit in the arm by a stray bullet, resulting in his arm being amputated.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
By Thursday, life returned to a degree of normality in the restive city. The armed policemen were the same, but their allegencies had changed from government to rebels.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
But for the thousands who had fled fighting in Goma, respite would be short-lived as fighting broke out in the town of Sake, to the west of Goma.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
As tens of thousands fled the town, M23 rebels from Goma ran towards the town to try and maintain their advances.


/Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
Oxfam estimtes that 120,000 are in urgent need of humanitarian aid, and Thursday's exodus adds massive numbers to this.
images:
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captions:
Some 767,000 have been displaced in the east of Congo, and with no end to the fighting in sight, their plight remains dire.;*;M23 rebels stood at the gates of Goma earlier this week, having rapidly gained ground against the Congolese government army.;*;The United Nations had vowed to protect the city against an imminent rebel advance, patrolling the city and holding defensive positions outside the city.;*;The Congolese army deployed heavily throughout the city as they were beaten back from the city\(***)s outskirts.;*;Despite the defences of the army, and the support by the United Nations, on Tuesday rebels marched into Goma, rapidly securing the border with Rwanda.;*;Coming from the north, they advanced throughout the city up to the shore of Lake Kivu.;*;The following day, Wednesday, rebels held a public rally, inviting the local population to come to hear what the rebels stand for.;*;The rally was also an opporunity for government police officers to surrender and to join the rebel force.;*;M23 rebel spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Vianney Kazarama addressed thousands of residents of Goma, saying that M23 would push-on from Goma and onto Bukavu.;*;As the city woke to its new masters, bodies from the previous day\(***)s battle still lay in the streets.;*;Lokuli Loleko Prince, 24, had learned that his father had been killed in the fighting, but only found his body in the streets the next day.;*;Many civilians were also injured in the fighting. Twelve year-old Kakule Elie was hit in the arm by a stray bullet, resulting in his arm being amputated.;*;By Thursday, life returned to a degree of normality in the restive city. The armed policemen were the same, but their allegencies had changed from government to rebels.;*;But for the thousands who had fled fighting in Goma, respite would be short-lived as fighting broke out in the town of Sake, to the west of Goma.;*;As tens of thousands fled the town, M23 rebels from Goma ran towards the town to try and maintain their advances.;*;Oxfam estimtes that 120,000 are in urgent need of humanitarian aid, and Thursday\(***)s exodus adds massive numbers to this. Daylife ID:
1353671571433
Photographer:
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Image Source:
Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera;*;Phil Moore/Al Jazeera
Gallery Source:
Daylife
Daylife Raw Data:
M23 fighters capture Goma in the DR Congohttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congoen-usAl Jazeerafeedback@daylife.com10Fri, 23 Nov 2012 11:52:52 GMTFri, 23 Nov 2012 12:07:29 GMT1http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=07ZM4jmaKOdptSome 767,000 have been displaced in the east of Congo, and with no end to the fighting in sight, their plight remains dire.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=07ZM4jmaKOdptPhil Moore/Al JazeeraSome 767,000 have been displaced in the east of Congo, and with no end to the fighting in sight, their plight remains dire.1 2http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=0cOQ1db4ve95DM23 rebels stood at the gates of Goma earlier this week, having rapidly gained ground against the Congolese government army.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=0cOQ1db4ve95DPhil Moore/Al JazeeraM23 rebels stood at the gates of Goma earlier this week, having rapidly gained ground against the Congolese government army. 2 3http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=09Pne0q7zhbqCThe United Nations had vowed to protect the city against an imminent rebel advance, patrolling the city and holding defensive positions outside the city.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=09Pne0q7zhbqCPhil Moore/Al JazeeraThe United Nations had vowed to protect the city against an imminent rebel advance, patrolling the city and holding defensive positions outside the city. 3 4http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=0c7B65R1jCgQKThe Congolese army deployed heavily throughout the city as they were beaten back from the city's outskirts.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=0c7B65R1jCgQKPhil Moore/Al JazeeraThe Congolese army deployed heavily throughout the city as they were beaten back from the city's outskirts. 45http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=09V17O117u3CEDespite the defences of the army, and the support by the United Nations, on Tuesday rebels marched into Goma, rapidly securing the border with Rwanda.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=09V17O117u3CEPhil Moore/Al JazeeraDespite the defences of the army, and the support by the United Nations, on Tuesday rebels marched into Goma, rapidly securing the border with Rwanda.5 6http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=025gcPjgOn3jmComing from the north, they advanced throughout the city up to the shore of Lake Kivu.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=025gcPjgOn3jmPhil Moore/Al JazeeraComing from the north, they advanced throughout the city up to the shore of Lake Kivu. 6 7http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=0b3r9ii0cP4B5The following day, Wednesday, rebels held a public rally, inviting the local population to come to hear what the rebels stand for.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=0b3r9ii0cP4B5Phil Moore/Al JazeeraThe following day, Wednesday, rebels held a public rally, inviting the local population to come to hear what the rebels stand for. 7 8http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=08IDchsaEWeQAThe rally was also an opporunity for government police officers to surrender and to join the rebel force.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=08IDchsaEWeQAPhil Moore/Al JazeeraThe rally was also an opporunity for government police officers to surrender and to join the rebel force. 8 9http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=04ev0F712P880M23 rebel spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Vianney Kazarama addressed thousands of residents of Goma, saying that M23 would push-on from Goma and onto Bukavu.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=04ev0F712P880Phil Moore/Al JazeeraM23 rebel spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Vianney Kazarama addressed thousands of residents of Goma, saying that M23 would push-on from Goma and onto Bukavu. 9 10http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=0dxa2Pyb1i2l9As the city woke to its new masters, bodies from the previous day's battle still lay in the streets.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=0dxa2Pyb1i2l9Phil Moore/Al JazeeraAs the city woke to its new masters, bodies from the previous day's battle still lay in the streets. 10 11http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=050na5UdHqb4ZLokuli Loleko Prince, 24, had learned that his father had been killed in the fighting, but only found his body in the streets the next day.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=050na5UdHqb4ZPhil Moore/Al JazeeraLokuli Loleko Prince, 24, had learned that his father had been killed in the fighting, but only found his body in the streets the next day. 11 12http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=0fx65eU6Gz1v7Many civilians were also injured in the fighting. Twelve year-old Kakule Elie was hit in the arm by a stray bullet, resulting in his arm being amputated.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=0fx65eU6Gz1v7Phil Moore/Al JazeeraMany civilians were also injured in the fighting. Twelve year-old Kakule Elie was hit in the arm by a stray bullet, resulting in his arm being amputated. 12 13http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=02gMdks4Wpgv2By Thursday, life returned to a degree of normality in the restive city. The armed policemen were the same, but their allegencies had changed from government to rebels.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=02gMdks4Wpgv2Phil Moore/Al JazeeraBy Thursday, life returned to a degree of normality in the restive city. The armed policemen were the same, but their allegencies had changed from government to rebels. 13 13http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=0bMt08N7FE4PDBut for the thousands who had fled fighting in Goma, respite would be short-lived as fighting broke out in the town of Sake, to the west of Goma.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=0bMt08N7FE4PDPhil Moore/Al JazeeraBut for the thousands who had fled fighting in Goma, respite would be short-lived as fighting broke out in the town of Sake, to the west of Goma. 13 14http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=07IM1tZgFpaeMAs tens of thousands fled the town, M23 rebels from Goma ran towards the town to try and maintain their advances.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=07IM1tZgFpaeMPhil Moore/Al JazeeraAs tens of thousands fled the town, M23 rebels from Goma ran towards the town to try and maintain their advances. 14 15http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=0c5oeiLgla2J0Oxfam estimtes that 120,000 are in urgent need of humanitarian aid, and Thursday's exodus adds massive numbers to this.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/M23-fighters-capture-Goma-in-the-DR-Congo?image_id=0c5oeiLgla2J0Phil Moore/Al JazeeraOxfam estimtes that 120,000 are in urgent need of humanitarian aid, and Thursday's exodus adds massive numbers to this. 15

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