Pope Francis calls for peace as M23 rebels take Goma

Pope Francis on Wednesday expressed his concerns over the tendencies in Congo.

It comes as Rwanda-backed rebels captured mountainous elements of eastern Congo’s biggest metropolis together with its airport, in accordance with the United Countries.

Considerable of the beleaguered metropolis of Goma was aloof early Wednesday morning, after a day by which hundreds of fleeing other folks hunkered down by roadsides as missiles flew and injured other folks streamed to overwhelmed hospitals.

While executive forces mute control pockets of Goma, residents who spoke to The Associated Press by phone on Tuesday said that the M23 rebellion team was up to hasten of grand of the metropolis.

“I urge all parties to the conflict to commit themselves to the cessation of hostilities and to the protection of the civilian population of Goma,” Francis said at his weekly viewers with reliable at the Vatican.

The M23 rebels, who claimed to have captured the metropolis on Monday after a weekslong advance, are one in all about 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in mineral-successfully off eastern Congo.

Francis also identified as for an extinguish to the violence within the capital, Kinshasa the put protesters attacked at least 10 embassies, together with these of Rwanda, Belgium, France and the usa.

Dozens of demonstrators looted and placement fires to elements of at least 10 foreign embassy constructions, stressful that the worldwide neighborhood condemn Rwanda over its role within the war.

Several worldwide locations, together with the usa, United Kingdom and France have condemned Rwanda for the rebellion advance.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s executive denies supporting M23, despite stories from U.N. experts who estimate there are up to 4,000 Rwandan forces in Congo.

Rwanda has accused Congo of enlisting Hutu rebels and former militiamen whom it blames for the 1994 genocide.

“While I pray for the prompt restoration of peace and security, I invite local authorities and the international community to make every effort to resolve the conflict by peaceful means,” Francis said.