In brief
The UN reports over 700 deaths in Goma due to fighting between M23 rebels and government forces, as the conflict worsens in eastern DR Congo. The humanitarian crisis deepens, prompting regional support for the beleaguered nation.
In a devastating escalation of conflict, the United Nations has reported that at least 700 individuals have lost their lives in fierce combat around Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, since Sunday. UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric highlighted that around 2,800 people have sustained injuries as the M23 rebel group, allegedly receiving support from Rwanda, has gained control of North Kivu province's capital.Currently, the M23 forces are advancing toward Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, a move that raises serious concerns for local populations. The roots of this conflict trace back to the 1990s but have seen a dramatic surge in violence in recent weeks. The M23, composed mainly of ethnic Tutsis, claims to be fighting for minority rights, while the Congolese government accuses them of seeking to exploit the region's rich mineral resources.Dujarric indicated that casualty figures derived from assessments by the World Health Organization and the DR Congo government between Sunday and Thursday, warning that the death toll could continue to rise. To counter M23’s offensive, the Congolese military has established a defensive perimeter along the route between Goma and Bukavu. Civilians have rallied to support the military effort, embodying determination as they vow to protect their city.Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki, the governor of South Kivu, mentioned to Reuters that the government and its allies are currently managing to fend off the insurgents, although this assertion has yet to be independently verified. Meanwhile, the M23 has reiterated its intention to expand its conquest toward Kinshasa, the national capital, suggesting a precarious future for the region.Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the foreign minister of DR Congo, accused Rwanda of unauthorized military actions within DR Congo and suggested that international inaction has allowed Rwandan President Paul Kagame to evade accountability for alleged violations of international law. In response, Rwanda's government spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, expressed the nation's lack of interest in military expansion, insisting their presence aims to prevent the crisis from spreading across borders.The Southern African Development Community (Sadc), a regional coalition, pledged its backing of the DR Congo during a recent crisis summit. Affirming their solidarity, Sadc has also deployed peacekeeping forces primarily from South Africa to help stabilize the area beset by ongoing unrest.The recent conflict has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation. UN World Food Programme representative Shelley Thakral noted that Goma's residents are rapidly depleting their access to food, clean water, and medical supplies as supply routes are being severely compromised. The UN refugee agency reported that over 400,000 individuals have been displaced due to the rising violence since the start of 2025.The Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa's second-largest nation, shares borders with nine countries and has historically faced conflicts that have dragged in neighboring nations, often referred to as Africa's World Wars.
