Rwandan-backed rebel forces marched into Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, on Monday, escalating a long-standing conflict to its most intense level in over a decade.
Goma, a lakeside city of over one million people located on the border with Rwanda, was reportedly captured by the M23 militia—a Tutsi-led rebel alliance that had previously occupied the city briefly in 2012.
Gunfire echoed through the city, with clashes reported near the airport, in the city center, and along the border. Residents of Goma described a tense atmosphere, with one saying, “We can still hear gunfire coming from the airport. A rocket landed close to the church, behind our house,” in the northeast Majengo neighborhood.
The fighting also spilled over the border, as Congolese soldiers stationed on Mount Goma exchanged artillery fire with Rwandan troops in Gisenyi, a town on the Rwandan side. According to U.N. sources, the skirmishes add to fears of a broader regional conflict.
U.N. Secretary-General, António Guterres has warned that the M23’s offensive could trigger a wider regional war. The Democratic Republic of Congo, a resource-rich nation of 100 million people, has long been a hotspot for conflict fueled by its abundant minerals, which attract armed groups and foreign interests alike.
The situation in Goma has forced thousands to flee, with people carrying children, heavy bags, and even mattresses as gunfire sounded in the background. A Reuters journalist in Gisenyi observed panicked residents crossing the border for safety.
The instability in eastern Congo has its roots in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, during which nearly one million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed. Following the genocide, many Hutus, including some perpetrators, fled into Congo, creating tensions that persist today.
Rwanda accuses the Congolese government of supporting Hutu-led militias that allegedly threaten Rwanda’s security and the safety of Tutsis in Congo. On the other hand, Congo accuses Rwanda of arming the M23 rebels to seize control of mineral-rich territories. Kinshasa has claimed that Rwandan forces are now present in Goma, with Congo’s government vowing to prevent further “carnage and loss of human life.”
The M23’s leader, Corneille Nangaa, stated that his forces now control Goma, claiming, “They [Congolese soldiers] have started to surrender, but it takes time.” Nangaa has also indicated that the group’s ultimate goal is to reach Kinshasa, Congo’s capital, to address what he described as the nation’s systemic failures.
“In Congo, we have a weak or non-existent state. Armed groups have emerged because of this vacuum. We want to recreate the state,” Nangaa said. The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo (MONUSCO) has reported that 100 Congolese soldiers surrendered their weapons as requested by the rebels. U.N. staff and their families have begun evacuating to Rwanda, with buses waiting to transport them to safety.
Videos shared on social media showed scenes of looting near the airport and heavily armed M23 fighters patrolling northern Goma. Additionally, 26 Congolese soldiers and one police officer reportedly crossed the border to surrender to Rwandan troops.
The fall of Goma in 2012 led to international diplomatic efforts and a restructuring of Congo’s military, culminating in M23’s defeat in 2013 and a disarmament agreement. However, the group never fully demobilized and reignited its rebellion in 2022, capturing vast areas of North Kivu province, including lucrative coltan mines used in smartphone production.
The U.N. has accused Rwanda of providing significant military support to M23, including troops, missiles, and snipers. Kigali denies these allegations, instead blaming Congo for sabotaging peace negotiations.
The U.N. Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Sunday, with the United States, France, and Britain condemning Rwanda’s alleged support for the rebels. Rwanda dismissed the accusations and reiterated its concerns about threats to its security along the border.
“The fighting near the Rwandan border continues to pose a serious threat to Rwanda’s security and territorial integrity, necessitating Rwanda’s sustained defensive posture,” Rwanda’s foreign ministry stated.
The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands this year alone, adding to the millions already displaced in eastern Congo. With the situation rapidly deteriorating, the international community faces growing pressure to intervene and prevent further escalation.
