
Faith Nyasuguta
Heavy fighting erupted near Goma, a key city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as M23 rebels claimed early Monday to have captured the regional capital. The declaration came just before the expiry of a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Congolese forces surrender their weapons.
Footage from Sunday night captured flashes of light and gunfire near Goma, a city of two million people, prompting what the United Nations described as “mass panic.” The situation has further jeopardized thousands of civilians who had sought refuge in the city after weeks of escalating violence in North Kivu province.
The M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, urged Goma residents to remain calm and called for Congolese soldiers to gather at the central stadium. Congo’s government condemned the advance as a “declaration of war,” warning that the capture of Goma could worsen Africa’s longest-running conflict and displace even more civilians.

UN Condemns Rwanda Role
The United Nations has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 fighters and called on Rwandan forces to withdraw from Congolese territory. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the violence, particularly after the deaths of three UN peacekeepers within 48 hours. In a statement, he warned that attacks on UN personnel could constitute war crimes.
During an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, permanent members like the United States, France, and Britain urged Rwanda to halt its involvement in the conflict. French Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere criticized the lack of unified condemnation, emphasizing the threat to regional peace and security.
Meanwhile, Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner called for economic and political sanctions against Kigali, accusing Rwanda of sending additional troops into eastern DRC.
Rwanda, however, denied the allegations, with Ambassador Ernest Rwamucyo blaming Kinshasa for the deteriorating situation and accusing the UN peacekeepers of collaborating with groups seeking regime change in Rwanda.
Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies
The conflict has displaced over 230,000 people in North Kivu province, where Goma is located. The UN estimates that more than one-third of the province’s population is already displaced, and the capture of Goma could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.

Goma, situated near the Rwandan border, is a hub for the region’s vast mining resources. Eastern DRC has long been plagued by violence, with multiple armed groups vying for control of its mineral wealth since the 1990s.
UN agencies have begun evacuating non-essential staff from Goma as the situation worsens. The ongoing violence has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions in the region, with calls for a more robust international response.
Regional & Global Implications
The escalating conflict has significant implications for regional stability. M23’s offensive not only threatens the DRC but also risks drawing in neighboring countries and international actors. Rwanda’s alleged involvement has strained relations with Kinshasa, and the UN Security Council’s divided stance highlights the complexity of addressing the crisis.
Meanwhile, the fighting endangers the DRC’s role as a key supplier of minerals like cobalt, critical for global industries. Heightened tariffs or disrupted exports could impact international markets.

As the situation unfolds, the call for diplomacy remains urgent. However, with accusations flying on all sides and no immediate resolution in sight, the future of eastern DRC, and its people, hangs in the balance.
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