Hundreds attempt to flee the DRC into Rwanda as fighting closes in on Goma
4 min readOn Sunday, hundreds of people attempted to flee the escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as fighting closed in on the city of Goma. Heavy gunfire could be heard echoing through the key city, just a few kilometers away from the frontlines where M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have made significant territorial advances in recent weeks. The rebels have pushed closer to Goma, a regional capital of roughly two million people, and their offensive has raised alarm over the potential for a broader humanitarian disaster.
On Monday morning, the M23 rebels claimed to have captured Goma, despite calls from the United Nations Security Council on Sunday for them to cease their advance. The rebel group issued the claim minutes before a 48-hour deadline they had set for the Congolese army to surrender their weapons. This declaration marked an intensification of the conflict, which has already caused widespread panic among the civilian population.
The United Nations reported “mass panic” as the situation in Goma worsened. Displaced residents, such as Muahadi Amani, spoke of their fears for their safety, particularly the safety of their children. “We are at the border with Rwanda, and I’m going to cross to the other side to see if we can find a safe place because, at the moment, there is no security in Goma,” Amani said. Thousands of others, also fleeing the violence, have tried to seek refuge across the border in Rwanda, though it has been reported that the border is now closed, further complicating efforts to escape the escalating conflict.
The crisis in Goma follows a dramatic rise in fighting between the M23 rebels and the Congolese army. Over the past week, at least 13 peacekeepers have been killed as the violence has surged. This has further strained an already dire humanitarian situation. Goma, as a regional hub for security and humanitarian efforts, has become a focal point of the conflict, with both local residents and displaced people seeking shelter and safety within the city.
The M23 group, which is predominantly composed of ethnic Tutsis, broke away from the Congolese army over a decade ago. It is one of many armed groups vying for control in the mineral-rich eastern DRC, a region that has been plagued by instability and conflict for years. The M23 rebels have been accused of receiving support from Rwanda, although Rwanda denies these allegations. The United Nations and other international experts have gathered evidence of Rwanda’s involvement, further inflaming tensions between the two countries.
The situation is threatening to escalate into a larger regional conflict. As M23 continues its offensive, the conflict risks destabilizing not only the DRC but also neighboring Rwanda and Uganda. The offensive has already led to significant displacement within the DRC, exacerbating one of the world’s largest ongoing humanitarian crises. The UN estimates that over a third of North Kivu province’s population has been displaced due to the violence, with many fleeing to Goma and surrounding areas.
The Congolese government, in response to the M23’s advance, severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda on Saturday. Tensions between the two countries have been high for years, particularly due to the presence of Rwandan Hutu militants, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), in the DRC. Rwanda has long accused the DRC of harboring these militants, who are believed to have been involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
International efforts to stem the violence have been ongoing for years, with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) playing a central role in keeping the peace. MONUSCO, which has been present in the country for over two decades, has about 14,000 peacekeepers deployed to the DRC. Since 2021, MONUSCO, alongside other regional forces such as the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), has been attempting to prevent the M23 from gaining further ground. Despite their efforts, the rebels have been able to make significant territorial gains, further complicating the peace process and worsening the humanitarian situation.
The capture of Goma would mark a significant turning point in the conflict, with fears that the rebels could push further into the region, displacing even more civilians. The UN has called for immediate measures to protect civilians and halt the fighting. As the international community monitors the situation, the need for a political solution to the crisis becomes more urgent. With the conflict threatening to destabilize not only the DRC but the entire region, efforts to negotiate peace are critical to prevent further escalation.
In the meantime, those who have fled the fighting face an uncertain future. Displaced people, such as Amani, are left seeking safety in an already overwhelmed region, as the ongoing violence makes it increasingly difficult to provide aid and support to those in need. The humanitarian crisis in the eastern DRC continues to grow, with no clear resolution in sight.
Source: African News Agency
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