The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has begun evacuating hundreds of Congolese troops and police officers trapped in UN bases in Goma after the city’s capture by M23 rebels.
The personnel, who had taken shelter in UN facilities, will be transported to the capital, Kinshasa, under ICRC accompaniment.
The evacuation follows negotiations between the UN, Congolese government, and M23 rebels, who opposed an airlift proposal due to the closure of Goma’s airport.
Around 1,500 personnel were initially trapped, and the evacuation is expected to take several days.
The situation in eastern DR Congo remains volatile, with tensions escalating due to the M23 rebel offensive.
The international community accuses Rwanda of supporting the group, which Kigali denies.
