The Democratic Republic of Congo’s army clashed with M23 rebels near Goma on Friday, prompting the UK, US, and France to urge their citizens to leave the volatile eastern city. Officials warned the situation could deteriorate rapidly.
The M23 militia, supported by Rwandan troops, has seized large portions of mineral-rich eastern Congo in recent weeks following the collapse of peace talks. The fighting has triggered a humanitarian crisis and encircled Goma, a city of over one million people.
Western governments advised their nationals to leave Goma while airports and borders remain open, issuing warnings through official statements and direct messages.
UN Forces Join the Fight
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in DRC, MONUSCO, confirmed that its forces had engaged in intense combat with M23 fighters. In a statement, MONUSCO reported that its Quick Reaction Forces had launched heavy artillery strikes against M23 positions over the past 48 hours.
The UN warned that the conflict in North Kivu province has displaced over 400,000 people this year alone, raising fears of a broader regional war. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed alarm at the escalating violence, while the UN Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting for Monday to address the crisis.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) described the situation as “gravely concerning,” with spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh highlighting the rapid rise in displacements. “Over 400,000 people have been displaced this year, nearly double last week’s figures,” Saltmarsh said, adding that many families were fleeing from displacement sites on Goma’s outskirts and seeking shelter within the city.
Reports from witnesses and military sources described heavy bombardments and clashes west of Goma, with explosions heard near Sake, about 25 kilometers from the city. Frequent cuts to mobile networks, internet, and electricity have further exacerbated the chaos.
Escalating Conflict
The Congolese army deployed helicopter gunships on Thursday, firing rockets at advancing M23 fighters. MONUSCO and Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces mobilized armored vehicles and weapons to support Congolese troops.
Medical teams from the International Committee of the Red Cross treated over 70 wounded individuals in Goma hospitals on Thursday, while civilians fled the fighting on foot, heading toward the city center.
President Félix Tshisekedi convened a defense council meeting on Friday following a crisis session the previous day. Meanwhile, the military governor of North Kivu, General Peter Cirimwami, was reported to have died Friday morning after being shot near the frontline the previous day.
Decades of Instability
Goma remains at the heart of conflict that has plagued eastern DRC for 30 years. The M23, or March 23 Movement, briefly captured the city in 2012 before being expelled by the Congolese army with MONUSCO’s support.
Efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis have repeatedly failed. A December meeting between Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, part of an Angola-led peace process, was canceled due to a lack of agreement. Turkey offered on Thursday to mediate talks between the DRC and Rwanda.
Despite numerous ceasefires, including one signed in late July, none have held, leaving the region in a state of perpetual conflict.
