The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has announced it successfully evacuated all Congolese government troops (FARDC) who had fled to MONUSCO’s base in Goma after being defeated in clashes with the M23 rebel group.
A total of 1,359 unarmed soldiers, along with their families, were repatriated by the ICRC from Goma to Kinshasa.
The evacuation began on April 30 and was carried out with the cooperation of the M23 rebel group, which still controls parts of Goma.
Following the operation, the ICRC’s leadership expressed hope that this effort would pave the way for further humanitarian agreements aimed at easing tensions and reducing the suffering of civilians in eastern DRC.
The repatriated soldiers were transported overland, covering more than 2,000 kilometers to reach Kinshasa.
