Thousands of displaced people have arrived at the outskirts of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, fleeing the rapid advance of M23 rebels.
The rebels have taken more territory than ever before, marking a significant turning point in their insurgency, which began in March 2022.
The M23 rebels, who are primarily ethnic Tutsi, accuse the government of failing to integrate Congolese Tutsis into the army and administration, as agreed upon in a 2009 peace deal.
With over 8,000 fighters, including 5,500 recruited since September, the group is becoming increasingly powerful, generating revenue from mining activities to fund their campaign.
The rebels’ advance has led to clashes with the army, with reports of fighting in the town of Sake, just 20 km from Goma.
The city, home to over 2 million people, including over 1 million displaced individuals, is now under threat.
The situation is dire, with thousands forced to flee their homes, carrying only what they can. Alice Maombi Tulinado, a 28-year-old mother of four, arrived in Nzulo, 15 km from Goma, after fleeing her home in Kalehe territory. “We did not see the war coming upon us. Now it is in our homes,” she said.
The international community has accused neighboring Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, a claim Rwanda denies. As the situation continues to deteriorate, concerns grow for the safety of civilians and the stability of the region.
