The M23 Rebels Claim Control Over Goma Amidst Intensified Fighting
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is once again in the global spotlight as the M23 rebel group announced its capture of Goma, a strategic city in the country’s eastern region. This development follows a rapid military advance that has left thousands of residents fleeing in fear, with videos circulating of rebels patrolling the streets of the city. Goma, home to over a million people, saw hours of intense gunfire and explosions on Sunday before reports of calm emerged.
The unrest comes in the wake of accusations by DRC’s Foreign Minister that Rwanda has effectively declared war by providing support to the M23 rebels. Rwanda, in turn, has accused the Congolese government of backing militias aiming for regime change in Kigali. The tensions between the two nations have escalated, with both blaming the other for the conflict that has plunged the region into chaos.
As the situation intensifies, Kenya has called for an immediate ceasefire. President William Ruto, chair of the East African Community, has announced plans for an emergency summit involving the presidents of DRC and Rwanda. The summit aims to mediate a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which has claimed lives and displaced thousands.
The M23 movement has been a destabilizing force in the DRC since 2021, advancing in the mineral-rich eastern region. The group claims to represent the Tutsi community in the DRC, which has faced discrimination and persecution. However, critics argue that Rwanda is using the M23 as a proxy force to exploit the region’s vast mineral resources, including gold, cobalt, and tantalum.
According to the UN Refugee Agency, more than 400,000 people have been displaced in North and South Kivu provinces since the beginning of 2025. One displaced resident, Alice Feza, expressed her despair after fleeing multiple times and finding herself in Goma with nowhere else to go. Roads leading out of Goma are blocked, and the airport is no longer operational, further complicating evacuation and humanitarian efforts.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on Rwanda to withdraw its forces and for the M23 rebels to halt their advance and withdraw from occupied territories. Guterres’ plea came after 13 UN peacekeepers were killed in clashes with the rebels. Nations like the UK and France have echoed the UN’s calls for Rwanda to disengage from the conflict.
The international community has largely criticized Rwanda’s role in the conflict, though Rwanda’s UN representative, Ernest Rwamucyo, countered these accusations. He claimed that the Congolese army had violated ceasefire agreements and accused the global community of unfairly condemning the M23 while ignoring the actions of the Congolese military.
The M23 rebellion originated in 2012, evolving from an earlier group claiming to protect the Tutsi population in eastern DRC. While Rwanda has previously denied involvement, the DRC and the UN maintain that the group receives substantial support from Kigali. Meanwhile, Rwanda alleges that DRC has aligned itself with individuals responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The conflict’s implications extend far beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis. The DRC’s mineral wealth remains a central issue, with accusations of exploitation exacerbating regional tensions. As the world watches, the need for a diplomatic resolution becomes ever more urgent.
Refrence From: www.bbc.com