M23 rebels claim control of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, though the government disputes this assertion. Residents’ videos show rebels patrolling main streets following their rapid advance Sunday, which caused thousands to flee nearby towns.
The situation escalated after DR Congo’s foreign minister accused Rwanda of effectively declaring war by supporting M23 with troops. Rwanda, while not denying M23 support, counters that Congo backs militias targeting Kigali’s government.
Kenyan President William Ruto has called for an emergency regional summit, with both countries’ presidents expected to attend. As East African Community chair, Ruto emphasized the need for regional leaders to facilitate peace.
The M23 has controlled large portions of mineral-rich eastern DR Congo since 2021. Their recent advance has displaced over 400,000 people in North and South Kivu provinces in 2025, according to UN figures. One evacuee, Alice Feza, described repeated displacement: “People are fleeing everywhere, and we don’t know where to go anymore.”
While the government claims control of strategic locations including Goma’s airport, the UN reports key roads are blocked and the airport is non-operational for evacuations. Local reports indicate prison breaks, with a security source telling AFP the 3,000-inmate facility was “totally torched.”
UN Secretary-General Antรณnio Guterres has demanded Rwanda withdraw its forces and M23 cease its advance. This follows the deaths of 13 UN peacekeepers in rebel clashes. The UK has condemned peacekeeper attacks, while France supports the call for Rwandan withdrawal.
Rwanda’s UN representative Ernest Rwamucyo expressed regret that the international community condemned M23 rather than alleged Congolese ceasefire violations. The M23, formed in 2012, claims to protect Congo’s persecuted Tutsi population, though critics accuse Rwanda of using the group to access mineral resources.
The UN has begun evacuating non-essential staff from Goma as the situation develops.
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