Residents in eastern Congo's largest city, Goma, are fleeing as Rwanda-backed rebels have reportedly captured the regional hub from Congolese forces. The fighting escalated despite calls from the UN Security Council for the insurgents to withdraw.
Gunshots were heard across Goma overnight, and on Monday morning, dozens of rebels in military uniform marched into the capital of North Kivu province, which borders Rwanda. The Congolese government has not confirmed the fall of Goma, located 1,500 kilometers east of the capital Kinshasa, after severing ties with Rwanda.
The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, are among the numerous armed groups vying for control in the mineral-rich region, which has been plagued by a decades-long conflict. The rebels previously took over Goma in 2012 before being pressured to withdraw. They resurfaced in late 2021 with increasing support from Rwanda, although Rwanda denies such claims.
Analysts warn that the recent escalation of hostilities could further destabilize the region, which is already facing one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, with over 6 million people displaced. More than a third of North Kivu's population are among the displaced, according to a UN report.
The UN Security Council has called on the M23 rebels to reverse their advances and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The rebels announced the capture of Goma just as a deadline for Congolese security forces to surrender was about to expire.
Congolese government officials have accused Rwanda of committing aggression and declared a state of war. The rebels have urged residents to remain calm and asked the Congolese military to assemble at the central stadium.
Hundreds of residents have been seen fleeing Goma into Rwanda, carrying their belongings as they escape the violence. The UN peacekeeping force in Congo, MONUSCO, has reported at least 13 peacekeepers killed in the past week.
The situation remains tense as the conflict continues to unfold in eastern Congo, with concerns growing over the impact on the region's stability and the well-being of its population.
