In brief
Tensions rise in the Democratic Republic of Congo as M23 rebels intensify their assault on Goma, resulting in the deaths of 13 peacekeepers and prompting international calls for intervention.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has demanded that Rwanda withdraw its forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and called for the M23 rebel group to halt its advance on the crucial eastern city of Goma following fierce fighting. This appeal emerged during an urgent UN Security Council meeting, where Congo’s foreign minister accused Rwanda of instigating a war by sending troops across the border to aid the rebels. While Rwanda's representative did not dispute support for the M23 group, the situation has become dire after reports confirmed that 13 peacekeepers lost their lives during clashes. South Africa reported that nine of its soldiers were killed while trying to prevent the M23's advance on Goma, while three Malawian soldiers and one Uruguayan soldier also fell victim to the violence. Since assuming control of vast areas in mineral-rich eastern DRC in 2021, the M23 rebels have displaced hundreds of thousands of residents, with the UN highlighting their recent rapid progress towards Goma, home to more than a million people.At the Security Council, Guterres stated through his spokesperson that Rwanda must “cease support to the M23 and withdraw from DRC territory,” while also urging the M23 to “immediately cease all hostile actions and withdraw from occupied areas.” As the meeting convened in New York, reports surfaced of Rwandan drone strikes targeting areas near Goma, further escalating tensions.Bintou Keita from the UN peacekeeping force, Monusco, informed the council that the M23 and Rwandan forces had encroached upon the outskirts of Goma, inciting widespread panic among the local population. With road access blocked and the airport rendered unusable, humanitarian efforts have been severely hindered, with M23 declaring the airspace over Goma closed.The UK has condemned the ongoing attacks on peacekeepers, and France’s UN envoy echoed calls for Rwanda’s troop withdrawal. Both the DRC and the UN assert that the M23 receives backing from Rwanda; however, Rwanda counters that the Congolese army is responsible for the conflict escalation. Ernest Rwamucyo, representing Rwanda at the UN, expressed discontent towards the international community for failing to condemn the DRC’s actions and the involvement of foreign mercenaries in the strife.As the UN announced the withdrawal of non-essential personnel from Goma, approximately 400,000 individuals have been displaced in North and South Kivu provinces near the Rwandan border this year, according to the UN refugee agency. A displaced woman, Alice Feza, conveyed her despair, explaining her peripatetic escape from various conflict zones, now reaching Goma: “People are fleeing everywhere, and we don’t know where to go anymore.”In recent days, multiple nations, including the UK, France, Germany, and the US, have recommended their citizens to evacuate Goma. The M23 has urged Congolese forces within the city to surrender to prevent further bloodshed. The DRC has also broken diplomatic ties with Rwanda, blaming the latter for fueling the rebellion, particularly after M23 attackers killed a Congolese military governor. Originally emerging as a splinter group in 2012, the M23 positioned itself as a protector of the Tutsi population, historically marginalized in DRC, but has since faced allegations of exploiting the region’s rich mineral resources, including gold and cobalt. Human Rights Watch has flagged soaring risks to civilians as conflict continues, with both parties accused of committing grave abuses. As violence escalates, Goma’s strategic importance as a major economic hub is threatened, evidenced by its connectivity to vital mining operations. Local leaders report that over 200 civilians have been slain in territories under M23 control, further complicating an already desperate humanitarian situation within the region.
