Violent confrontations between M23 rebels and Congolese government forces have resulted in at least 25 deaths and over 375 injuries in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, since clashes began on Monday, local sources reported.
Civil society groups and humanitarian organizations working in the area have warned of the mounting humanitarian crisis as the violence escalates. Thousands have been forced to flee their homes, adding to the already significant number of displaced people in the region.
The government in Kinshasa, while not independently verifying the casualty figures, emphasized efforts to prevent further bloodshed and declared that it is working to secure the city. Authorities also accused neighboring Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, claiming that Rwandan forces are active in Goma.
The security situation in Goma remains fluid, with the city reportedly divided between the rebels and government forces. Local residents confirmed that M23 forces have attacked the city’s Public Port, while the Congolese army retains control of Goma’s airport. Despite claims from M23 that they had captured the city, the government denied the rebels’ total control, insisting that Goma had not fallen entirely.
M23, which has been accused of receiving support from Rwanda, claimed responsibility for the attacks, while Kigali denied backing the rebels. Rwanda, however, reported that five of its citizens were killed by cross-border fire from Congo, further complicating the situation. In another escalation, Rwanda’s army said it had disarmed over 120 Congolese soldiers near the border town of Gisemyi during clashes with M23 rebels.
Internet connectivity in Goma has been severely disrupted, with digital rights watchdog NetBlocks reporting ongoing outages at the Goma internet exchange. The disruption has hindered communication and access to critical information for both local residents and aid organizations.
Save The Children has raised alarms about the worsening living conditions in Goma, where large parts of the city have been without electricity and running water since Friday. The organization warned that families, particularly children, are facing extreme hardship, with many lacking access to food, clean water, and medical care. Goma, home to around 3 million people, including 1 million displaced individuals, is struggling to cope with the humanitarian impact of the ongoing violence.
The charity reported multiple incidents where children have been injured by explosives, including an attack on a hospital in Goma on Monday that left a baby wounded. Greg Ramm, Save The Children’s country director, described the situation as “confusing, complex, and horrific,” highlighting the difficulty families face in finding safe places to seek refuge.
The violence has also claimed the lives of at least 13 peacekeepers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the UN mission in Congo since M23 resumed its offensive last week.
The origins of the conflict are deeply tied to ethnic tensions, with M23 claiming to defend the rights of Congolese Tutsis, who they say face discrimination due to their ethnic ties to Rwanda’s Tutsi community. While Rwanda denies supporting the rebel group, the ongoing conflict remains a source of tension and instability in the region.
As the fighting intensifies, the humanitarian crisis in Goma continues to escalate, with no clear end in sight. The region faces an uncertain future, with both civilian and military casualties rising and the potential for further escalation.