The Congolese M23 rebels advanced into the center of Goma, a major city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on Monday, according to witnesses. This move came hours after the rebel group claimed to have seized control of the city, despite calls from the United Nations Security Council for an immediate halt to hostilities.
Uncertainty in Goma
It remains unclear whether the Rwanda-backed M23 alliance has fully captured Goma, a strategically significant city by Lake Kivu. Reports indicate that elements of the Congolese army and U.N. peacekeepers continue to hold positions at the airport, according to residents, local officials, and U.N. sources.
The rebel advance has displaced thousands of residents in Congo’s resource-rich east, sparking fears of a broader regional conflict.
“There is confusion in the city. Near the airport, we still see soldiers, but I haven’t seen M23 fighters yet,” one resident told Reuters. “Looting has also been reported in some stores.”
Gunfire was heard near the airport, the city center, and along the Rwandan border. Although the source of the shooting remains unclear, one resident speculated that it may have been warning shots rather than active combat.
Airport and Evacuation
Tryphon Kin-Kiey Mulumba, chairman of the Air Transport Authority, stated that the army remains in control of Goma’s airport. Social media videos, yet to be verified, show residents looting goods outside the airport customs warehouse, as well as columns of heavily armed men, believed to be M23 fighters, patrolling the northern suburbs of the city.
The rebels had reportedly ordered government soldiers to surrender by 3:00 a.m. on Monday (0100 GMT). Uruguay’s military confirmed that 100 Congolese soldiers handed over their weapons to Uruguayan troops stationed with the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo (MONUSCO).
MONUSCO staff and their families began evacuating to Rwanda on Monday morning, with buses stationed at the border to transport them to safety.
Regional and International Reactions
Kenya’s President William Ruto, chair of the East African Community (EAC), announced an emergency meeting with regional leaders to address the escalating crisis.
The DRC’s eastern borderlands remain volatile, marked by rebel zones and militia activity. The region has been a hotspot for instability since two successive regional wars following Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.
M23, a Tutsi-led rebel movement, claims its mission is to protect Congo’s ethnic Tutsi population. However, its actions have intensified one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
The U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting on Sunday, where the United States, France, and Britain condemned Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebels. U.N. experts estimate that Rwanda has deployed 3,000–4,000 troops and provided advanced weaponry, including missiles and snipers, to assist the group.
Kigali, however, rejected the accusations, labeling them unproductive and blaming Kinshasa for provoking the escalation. Rwanda’s foreign ministry stated that fighting near its border poses a serious threat to its security and territorial integrity, necessitating defensive measures.
Broader Implications
The crisis in Goma underscores the fragile dynamics in the DRC’s eastern region and the potential for the conflict to destabilize the broader Great Lakes region. As thousands flee their homes and reports of humanitarian suffering mount, international pressure grows for a sustainable resolution to prevent further escalation.
