Uganda Army Facilitates UN Staff Evacuation from Goma Amid M23 Rebel Onslaught

Video footage of a 38-bus convoy captured by UBC

Goma, DRC – In a dramatic humanitarian intervention, Uganda’s army has successfully facilitated the evacuation of United Nations staff from the embattled city of Goma. The operation comes in the wake of a series of violent M23 skirmishes that culminated in the rebel group overrunning Goma, leaving a trail of devastation and numerous fatalities.

According to military sources, the coordinated evacuation effort involved a convoy of 38 buses, which transported UN personnel from Goma to a secure transit hub at Entebbe International Airport. There, the evacuees boarded flights bound for various destinations, ensuring their safety as the volatile situation in Goma worsened.

A video convoy footage captured by Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) is set to be published alongside this report. The footage vividly documents the massive 38-bus convoy navigating through tense and rugged terrain, underscoring the scale and precision of the operation.

M23 Skirmishes and the Fall of Goma

The recent surge in M23 rebel activity has dramatically altered the security landscape in Goma. Over the past weeks, the rebel group’s aggressive tactics escalated into full-blown skirmishes. Eyewitness accounts and local reports confirm that the intense fighting not only disrupted daily life but also resulted in a significant number of fatalities among civilians and security personnel alike.

The overrunning of key parts of Goma by the M23 rebels has been described as a turning point in the conflict, with the ensuing chaos prompting urgent appeals from international agencies for immediate evacuation measures. In response, Uganda’s military, in collaboration with UN officials, orchestrated the evacuation to prevent further loss of life.

A Coordinated Humanitarian Effort

A spokesperson for the Ugandan army highlighted the urgency and collaborative nature of the mission:
“Our primary objective was to secure the safe exit of UN staff from a highly dangerous environment. The coordination between our forces and the United Nations was crucial in executing this complex operation under challenging circumstances.”

The successful evacuation marks a significant achievement in regional crisis management and underscores Uganda’s commitment to humanitarian principles, even as the situation in Goma remains precarious.

Looking Ahead

As the UN staff safely depart from Entebbe International Airport, concerns persist about the ongoing violence in Goma. The M23 rebel offensive continues to pose a severe threat to the local population, and international observers fear that further escalations could lead to additional humanitarian crises.

The release of the UBC video footage is to offer a rare glimpse into the logistics and bravery involved in this massive evacuation effort, providing further context to the unfolding events in Goma.

For continued updates on this developing story and further insights into the regional security situation, stay tuned to www.ugandatoday.co.ug.