M23 Rebels Capture Goma Amid Rising Tensions in DR Congo

The M23 rebel group has seized control of Goma, a key city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), after a rapid offensive against the Congolese army. Videos shared by residents showed M23 fighters patrolling Goma’s streets, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee nearby towns in search of safety. The city, home to over a million people, experienced hours of gunfire and explosions before falling silent, according to local media reports.

The crisis escalated as DR Congo’s foreign minister accused Rwanda of declaring war by sending troops to support the M23 rebels. Rwanda, in turn, alleged that Kinshasa backs militias seeking regime change in Kigali. Amid this turmoil, Kenyan President William Ruto, chair of the East African Community, called for an immediate ceasefire and announced an emergency summit involving the presidents of DR Congo and Rwanda to address the conflict.

The M23 group has been steadily advancing in the mineral-rich eastern regions of the DRC since 2021. Their recent offensive has displaced over 400,000 people in North and South Kivu provinces since the start of 2025, according to the UN refugee agency. Many displaced individuals, like Alice Feza, are struggling to find refuge. “We’ve been fleeing for so long, and now we have nowhere to go,” Feza said. Key roads around Goma remain blocked, and the city’s airport is unusable for evacuation or humanitarian aid.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on Rwanda to withdraw its forces from DRC territory and urged the M23 rebels to halt their offensive. In a statement, Guterres demanded Rwanda “cease support to the M23 and withdraw from DRC territory” and called on the M23 to “cease all hostile actions and withdraw from occupied areas.” This plea follows the deaths of 13 UN peacekeeping soldiers in clashes with the rebels.

International responses have been swift, with the UK condemning attacks on peacekeepers and France reiterating calls for Rwanda’s withdrawal. While DR Congo and the UN accuse Rwanda of backing M23, Rwanda’s UN representative Ernest Rwamucyo criticized the international community for allegedly ignoring ceasefire violations by the Congolese army.

The UN has evacuated all non-essential staff from Goma but continues essential operations in the region. The humanitarian crisis deepens as regional leaders scramble to mediate peace in this volatile conflict.