REBELS CUT OFF SUPPLIES TO GOMA

As M23 rebels step up their vicious campaign of terror in eastern DR Congo, seizing territories and choking supply routes by cutting off transport on major roads, food supplies to the regional capital Goma have been disrupted, condemning over two-million residents and displaced individuals to a gruelling humanitarian crisis.

This vast country has grappled with decades-long militia violence, indirectly financed with Western funds, which has killed an untold number of people and uprooted about 7 million from their homes.

However, in the east’s largest city, Goma, the situation is rapidly deteriorating. Commodity prices are sharply rising as day-to-day essentials such as food and fuel are not getting into the city, which appears to be under a blockade from the rebels. For now, supplies are still making it in via canoes from villages around the shores of Lake Kivu.

African Stream’s Erick Gavala reports from the ground.