**Title: Goma at the Crossroads: A Warning Post on an Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis**
The turmoil that has gripped Goma, the capital of North Kivu, since the incursion of M23/AFC elements supported by the Rwandan army, deserves attention that transcends the simple news story. Beyond the raw facts of the military confrontation and government statements, deeper and more worrying issues are emerging that affect the daily lives of thousands of Congolese.
In a striking statement, Vital Kamerhe, President of the National Assembly, spoke of the support of the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) and the Wazalendo Volunteers in the face of adversity. However, this assessment, although tinged with optimism, should not mask the reality on the ground. Uncertainty reigns. The worrying gunshots continue to echo through the streets of Goma, raising legitimate alarm about the protection of civilians. The humanitarian situation has reached critical levels, with the lack of electricity, water and internet access, exacerbating the isolation and distress of the population.
### A historical context of recurrence
To understand the scale of the disaster, it is essential to analyze the context in which these events are unfolding. The Kivu region has long been the scene of chronic instability, due to armed conflicts that have persisted for decades, marked by internal power games and external interference. With each crisis, lessons should have been learned. Unfortunately, it seems that Goma is still at the same point. At the same time, a comparison with the situation in 2012, when the M23 also took control of the city, reveals a continuity in the management of the crisis: failed attempts at negotiations, often timid commitments from the international community and a constant deterioration in living conditions.
### The humanitarian and social divide
It is not simply a question of deploring armed conflicts, but of questioning humanitarian management in Goma, which seems to be falling into oblivion. A UN report published in 2023 on the situation in Kivu attempts to alert international donors to the rise in humanitarian needs. In a country with vast and diverse natural resources, the failure to protect civilians and meet basic needs is a disconcerting tragedy. According to revealing statistics, more than 5 million people are displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and nearly 27 million Africans suffer from acute malnutrition. These figures speak for themselves.
### The Need for a Multidimensional Response
Kamerhe’s statement on the need to restore state authority in North Kivu sounds like an urgent imperative. However, a basic approach of restoring military order will not be enough. Authentic political and diplomatic mechanisms must be inserted into this equation, also considering the support of local and international NGOs. This rapprochement is essential for efficient and sustainable humanitarian management.
A comprehensive integrated strategy is crucial. This includes not only military action but also immediate humanitarian assistance, communal reconciliation efforts and the establishment of a stable framework at the political level. What will other African countries, the African Union Commission or even the United Nations do? Inaction in the face of this protracted crisis will inevitably result in an unsustainable human cost.
### Conclusion: a call for collective action
As the silence of the city centre and darkness envelop Goma, a glimmer of hope must emerge. The commitment of national authorities, regional actors and the international community is crucial, not only to respond to the emergency but to lay the foundations for lasting peace.
This is the time to join forces, not just to restore access routes, but to build bridges of dialogue that could once and for all break the cycle of violence. Removing the veils that mask the realities on the ground and raising awareness requires putting the well-being of the billions of Congolese who long to finally return to a peaceful life at the heart of concerns.
This is not just a security issue, but a real humanitarian challenge, a moral test for all of us, as citizens of the world. Goma is not alone; its fate must become a global priority.