DR Congo Faces Escalating Tensions as M23 Advances Amid Protests and Pending Mediation
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Synopsis
Tensions escalate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as M23 rebel group clashes with the DRC army in Goma, while protests erupt in Kinshasa against violence and inaction from the international community.
Key Takeaways
- Escalating violence in Goma as M23 rebels clash with DRC military.
- Protests in Kinshasa against international inaction.
- UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting.
- Severe humanitarian crisis affecting over 21 million people.
- Mediation efforts remain pending.
Kinshasa, Jan 29 (NationPress) Tensions are escalating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as clashes between the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel faction and the DRC military persist in the eastern city of Goma, while civil unrest grows in the capital, Kinshasa.
Hostilities reignited on Tuesday morning in Goma, the administrative center of North Kivu Province, following a brief period of calm. Efforts to mediate peace are still pending across various regional and international forums, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
According to local sources, fierce fighting resumed early Tuesday near the airport, a crucial site previously captured by the rebels.
In Kinshasa, the city awoke to chaos as civil society organizations rallied the community to demonstrate against the violence in Goma and the lack of action from the international community.
Protesters filled the city’s main roads, disrupting traffic, halting commercial activities, igniting tires, and chanting outside foreign embassies and the headquarters of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission.
Since late Sunday, violent skirmishes have been reported throughout Goma, where approximately one million residents live, and over 700,000 internally displaced individuals are already enduring harsh conditions on the outskirts.
Vital Kamerhe, the president of the National Assembly, revealed late Monday that President Felix Tshisekedi would address the nation concerning the humanitarian crisis and the advances of M23, although he did not provide a specific time for the speech.
The Uruguayan military, part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), stated early Tuesday that the conflicting parties had reached a ceasefire agreement facilitated by the UN mission.
Yet, neither the DRC government nor MONUSCO has released an official statement about this ceasefire.
Local sources reported a surge in fighting across several neighborhoods in Goma on Monday morning, particularly near the Rwandan border.
“Active combat zones have expanded to all areas of the city,” stated Bruno Lemarquis, the deputy UN envoy and chief humanitarian officer in the DRC, during a press briefing on Monday.
In its latest announcement made early Monday, M23 declared that “the liberation of the city is complete” and that “the situation is under control.”
As per sources from the UN peacekeeping mission, the rebel faction has taken control of several critical installations on Monday, including the airport, the port, and a local DRC military base.
An emergency session of the UN Security Council is anticipated on Tuesday to discuss the security situation in the eastern DRC.
On Sunday, members of the UN Security Council strongly condemned the ongoing advances of M23, urging the rebel group to promptly reverse its territorial gains.
On Monday, Kenyan President William Ruto announced that, amid the escalating situation in eastern DRC, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Tshisekedi had agreed to participate in an extraordinary East African Community (EAC) summit on Wednesday.
However, Tina Salama, spokesperson for the DRC president, stated that participation in the extraordinary EAC summit “is not yet confirmed.”
The DRC accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, while Rwanda denies these allegations and accuses the Congolese military of collaborating with remnants of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a group allegedly linked to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
The international community has advocated for a political resolution through the Luanda Process and the Nairobi Process, a parallel peace initiative led by the EAC.
After decades of violence and turmoil, the eastern DRC faces one of the world’s most severe, intricate, and overlooked humanitarian crises, according to the UN.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed profound concern over M23's renewed hostilities. In a statement released on Thursday by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, Guterres condemned the rebel group's new offensive since the beginning of the year and its expansion in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
While the offensive has led to devastating civilian casualties and increased the risk of a broader regional conflict, Guterres urged M23 to immediately halt its attacks, withdraw from all seized territories, and adhere to the ceasefire agreement established last August.
During an address to the Security Council on Saturday, Joyce Msuya, UN deputy secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, highlighted that over 21 million individuals in the DRC require assistance, one of the highest figures globally, while around one million have already sought refuge in neighboring countries. She cautioned that the escalation in eastern DRC threatens to exacerbate an already critical humanitarian situation.
According to the UN, more than 400,000 individuals have been displaced in eastern DRC since the start of 2025.
