Ongoing Clashes Between M23 Rebels and DRC Army Spark Global Concern
Kinshasa, DRC – The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains gripped by violence as fighting between the rebel March 23 Movement (M23) and the Congolese army escalated over the weekend, with alarming humanitarian consequences.
Clashes erupted on multiple fronts in Masisi territory, near Goma, the strategic capital of North Kivu province. Home to over two million people and numerous international NGOs and UN offices, Goma now faces a direct threat from M23, which has vowed to capture the city following a week of intensified fighting.
Crisis Intensifies
The rebel group, supported by Rwandan forces, seized Minova on January 21, a town 40 kilometers from Goma. This critical gain has cut supply routes to the city, worsening already dire conditions. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (Monusco) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission are assisting the Congolese army in a bid to halt the rebel advance.
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In a statement, Clémentine de Montjoye, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch, called on international actors to pressure warring parties to protect civilians amidst reports of severe abuses by all sides. Over 300 people have been injured in North Kivu this week alone, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The humanitarian crisis in Goma has reached critical levels, with severe shortages of drinking water and electricity. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that recent violence has displaced an additional 400,000 people in the past three weeks, compounding the plight of over four million already displaced in the region.
Peacekeepers Targeted
The violence has also claimed the lives of peacekeepers. A South African military union confirmed the deaths of nine South African soldiers this week, seven serving under SADC’s SAMIDRC mission and two with Monusco. Three Malawian soldiers and one Uruguayan peacekeeper were also killed, with dozens more wounded, including personnel from Guatemala.
In response to the worsening security situation, Monusco announced the temporary relocation of non-essential staff to Goma to safeguard lives while ensuring critical humanitarian operations continue.
International Reactions
Global leaders are voicing growing concern. African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat called for an immediate ceasefire, urging the international community to mobilize support for affected populations. The European Union condemned the M23’s advance as a blatant violation of the 2024 ceasefire agreement, urging Rwanda to cease its support of the rebel group.
Although Rwanda denies allegations of aiding M23, the UN has documented evidence of collaboration. Conversely, the M23 and Rwanda have accused the Congolese army of working with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel group founded by perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. This claim, too, has been corroborated by UN findings.
A Region in Turmoil
The M23 resumed armed activities in late 2021, launching a series of offensives against the Congolese army. Since March 2022, the group has seized vast swaths of territory in North Kivu, drawing dangerously close to Goma, a city it briefly occupied in 2012.
The DRC’s eastern region has faced decades of conflict, involving numerous rebel militias and the army, despite Monusco’s long-standing presence. As the situation worsens, international pressure mounts to broker peace and alleviate the suffering of millions caught in the crossfire.
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