The M23 rebel group, which has gained control over significant portions of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in recent years, has announced the capture of Goma, the largest city in the area, from government forces. While the DRC government initially denied the city’s fall to the rebels, it is evident that M23 has swiftly advanced in recent days, escalating tensions between the DRC and neighboring Rwanda, which supports M23.
M23 rebels, along with residents, were seen in the streets of Goma’s Keshero neighborhood in a photo taken on January 27, 2025. The United Nations reported “mass panic” in the city as M23 declared the successful liberation of Goma, despite the DRC government labeling the insurgency as a “declaration of war.”
Videos and photos circulating online show rebels patrolling Goma’s main streets and the airport, with reports indicating that M23 now controls key routes in and out of the city. The United Nations expressed concern about the situation, stating that they are “trapped” in the escalating conflict.
The DRC government asserted that it still maintains control over strategic parts of Goma, including the airport, despite reports of heavy artillery fire hitting central Goma and a mass prison break resulting in the escape of 3,000 inmates. Power and water supplies in many areas have also been disrupted.
The conflict in the eastern DRC, particularly in the North and South Kivu provinces bordering Rwanda, has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. Since the beginning of the year, over 400,000 individuals have been forced from their homes, with more than 178,000 displaced in the past two weeks alone.
The M23 rebel group, initially formed in 2012, consists mainly of Tutsi fighters aiming to protect the ethnic Tutsi population in the region. Despite being pushed out of the DRC previously, M23 regrouped and launched a new offensive in 2021. Both the DRC and the U.N. accuse Rwanda of backing M23, with reports suggesting Rwandan troops crossing the border to support the rebel group.
The current conflict has drawn in U.N. peacekeepers, with around 14,000 troops under the MONUSCO mission supporting the FARDC against M23. The U.N. Secretary-General has called on Rwanda to cease supporting M23 and withdraw its forces from the DRC, attributing at least some responsibility for the violence to Rwanda.
The situation in Goma remains tense, with conflicting reports about control over the city and ongoing clashes between rebel forces, government troops, and U.N. peacekeepers. Residents are facing uncertainty and fear as the conflict escalates, leading to mass displacements and humanitarian concerns in the region.