International

Many killed as ‘Rwandan-backed’ M23 rebels claim control of major DRC city

January 28, 2025 3:57 pm

At least 17 people have been reported dead in clashes between M23 rebels and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) forces in the eastern city of Goma.

The United Nations (UN) said two of its Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) peacekeepers were among the deceased.

“Eleven peacekeepers sustained injuries and are being treated in the UN hospital in Goma,” the UN said in a statement.

Earlier on Monday, M23 announced the capture of Goma, capital of the North Kivu province. The DRC government said the act was a “declaration of war” by Rwanda.

The move comes as the three-year-old M23 rebellion in DRC’s mineral-rich east has intensified this month, with the rebels seizing control of more territory.

M23, or the March 23 Movement, is an armed group that broke away from the DRC army more than 10 years ago. Since its resurgence in 2022, the group has continued to gain ground in the eastern DRC.

The DRC and the UN have accused Rwanda of supporting M23 with troops and weapons but Rwanda denies the charge.

Over the weekend, DRC announced a sever in diplomatic ties with Rwanda, insisting that the Eastern African country continues to back the rebels that have terrorised the country.

The Congolese foreign ministry, in a statement late Saturday, said it was also pulling out all diplomatic staff from the country.

The order was “with immediate effect”, the statement said.

Rwanda did not comment immediately but last year acknowledged that it has troops and missile systems in eastern Congo to “safeguard” its security.

The UN has expressed deep concerns, issuing warnings of the risk of a broader regional war.

In a statement on Tuesday, Save the Children, an international charity organisation, said displacement camps on the outskirts of Goma have emptied as people have fled in search of safety.

“The situation is desperate, and we need urgent global action, now. We urge all parties involved in the conflict to prioritise the protection of civilians and ensure unrestricted humanitarian access,” the statement reads.

“We reiterate our call on the international community to take immediate actions to address the rapidly unfolding humanitarian crisis in the DRC.

“This includes providing emergency assistance to those displaced, supporting efforts to protect civilians and working towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.”

The DRC conflict has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, according to the UN, with nearly seven million people, including at least 3.5 million children, displaced and more than 26 million in need of humanitarian assistance.

Save the Children called for a resolution of the crisis to enable it to resume its humanitarian work.