Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized large parts of Goma, the largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including its airport, the United Nations confirmed on Wednesday.
The takeover follows a weekslong advance by the armed group, which has been engaged in fierce clashes with government forces.
While parts of the city remain under the control of Congolese troops, residents report that much of Goma is now in rebel hands. Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee, with many taking shelter along roadsides as missiles rained down. Hospitals, already overwhelmed, continue to receive a steady stream of wounded individuals.
The latest escalation has sparked fears of a complete breakdown of law and order. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric warned of “risks of a breakdown of law and order in the city given the proliferation of weapons.” The humanitarian crisis is worsening, with hundreds of thousands of people already displaced by the long-running conflict.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has joined international calls for a ceasefire, stating on X that he discussed “the need to ensure a ceasefire and address the root causes of the conflict once and for all” with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, Rwanda continues to deny allegations that it is supporting M23, despite UN reports estimating that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops are currently inside Congo.
The DRC has accused Rwanda of backing the rebels as part of a broader strategy to exert influence over the mineral-rich region. In response, Rwanda claims that the Congolese government is working with Hutu militias responsible for the 1994 genocide, further fueling tensions between the two nations.
As fighting rages on in Goma, anti-Rwanda protests have erupted in the capital, Kinshasa. Demonstrators carrying Congolese flags burned tires and blocked roads, expressing their anger at what they see as foreign interference.
Protester Jeanine Ngalula directly addressed Kagame, saying, “If Kagame arrives here in Kinshasa and takes the place of President Tshisekedi, he will not be able to govern. Congo is our country, the land of our ancestors.” Another protester, Eric Boyololo, dismissed calls for negotiations.
“No more conversation, we have to fight. We can’t do any more dialogue in this country. We are proud to stand up and fight the enemy.”
Eric Boyololo
Rebels Plan to Establish Administration
M23, a predominantly Tutsi rebel group, has announced its intention to establish an administration in Goma to restore order and allow displaced civilians to return.
The group previously captured the city in 2012 but withdrew after days of international pressure. This time, however, analysts warn that securing a rebel withdrawal may prove more difficult.
Murithi Mutiga, Africa program director at the Crisis Group, noted that M23 has grown stronger with Rwandan backing. He added that Rwanda sees the Congolese government as dismissive of its interests in the region, leading to a more assertive stance.
The Congolese government, led by President Félix Tshisekedi, has so far refused to negotiate directly with M23. However, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe has insisted that “Tshisekedi will have to accept talks with M23” if the conflict is to end.
With M23 firmly in control of key parts of Goma, the situation remains highly volatile. The city of two million people is now caught between warring factions, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. Overnight gunfire and explosions continue to unsettle residents, many of whom fear further bloodshed.
The international community has called for urgent diplomatic intervention, but with both sides unwilling to back down, the road to peace appears uncertain. As the battle for Goma rages on, the fate of eastern Congo hangs in the balance.
READ ALSO: Prof. Kwaku Asare Decries Parliament’s Lax Approach to Ministerial Vetting
