Rwandan-Backed Rebels M23 Claim Capture of Eastern DRC City Goma
TLDR
- M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) claim to have seized control of Goma
- Thousands have fled their homes as gunfire and clashes were reported near the airport and city center on Monday
- DRC accuses Rwanda of directly supporting M23, calling the actions a “frontal aggression.”
M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) claim to have seized control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu state, after weeks of rapid advances. Thousands have fled their homes as gunfire and clashes were reported near the airport and city center on Monday.
“We urge all residents of Goma to remain calm. The liberation of the city has been successfully carried out,” M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said. Witnesses confirmed the presence of rebel fighters in the city center, while 100 government soldiers reportedly surrendered to UN peacekeepers. The UN peacekeeping mission (Monusco) began evacuating staff to Rwanda as M23 fighters advanced, reportedly using residents as human shields.
DRC accuses Rwanda of directly supporting M23, calling the actions a “frontal aggression.” Rwanda denies the claims, blaming the DRC government for failing to pursue peace. M23, a Tutsi-led rebel group, asserts its aim is to protect ethnic Tutsis in the region.
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Key Takeaways
M23’s takeover of Goma threatens to reignite regional tensions rooted in Rwanda’s post-1994 genocide conflicts. The rebels’ resurgence since 2021, with alleged Rwandan backing, exacerbates one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. The UN estimates over one-third of North Kivu’s population is displaced, and the situation in Goma adds to the strain. International pressure may again mount on Rwanda, as in 2012, when aid was cut over its ties to M23. The unfolding crisis highlights the need for regional and international efforts to address long-standing tensions and stabilize the eastern DRC. Without urgent intervention, the conflict risks spiraling into a broader regional war.
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