The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) descended further into crisis on Friday as clashes between the national army and M23 fighters erupted near Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province. Western nations, including the UK, US, and France, issued urgent advisories for their citizens to leave the city, citing fears of rapid escalation.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Peace Talks Collapse as M23 Gains Ground
The March 23 Movement (M23), a militia group allegedly backed by Rwandan forces, has captured large swathes of territory in mineral-rich eastern DRC. Their recent advancements have triggered a humanitarian emergency and placed Goma, home to over one million people, on high alert.
Despite several ceasefire attempts, peace talks have repeatedly failed. The last significant meeting between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, part of an Angola-led mediation effort, was canceled in December due to disagreements.
Turkey has recently offered to mediate between DRC and Rwanda, but this proposal comes amid a backdrop of broken truces and unrelenting conflict.
Western Nationals Urged to Evacuate
With fighting intensifying near Goma, the US, UK, and France advised their citizens to leave while airports and borders remain open. Messages sent directly to nationals warned of the deteriorating security situation.
UN Peacekeepers and Congolese Military in Intense Combat
The United Nations mission in DRC, MONUSCO, confirmed that its peacekeepers were actively engaging M23 fighters. Over the last 48 hours, MONUSCO deployed heavy artillery against M23 positions near Goma, with their Quick Reaction Forces involved in fierce combat.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed alarm over the resumption of hostilities. The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the escalating crisis.
A Humanitarian Catastrophe
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported that over 400,000 people have been displaced this year alone, nearly double the number recorded last week. Many displaced families have fled from nine displacement sites near Goma, seeking shelter within the city.
UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh raised grave concerns about the safety of civilians and internally displaced persons, many of whom are now living in makeshift conditions without basic necessities.
Goma Under Siege
Witnesses reported Congolese military helicopters targeting M23 positions near Sake, approximately 25 kilometers northwest of Goma. Explosions were heard throughout the area, and electricity and communication services have been disrupted.
Amid the chaos, the military governor of North Kivu, General Peter Cirimwami, was killed on Friday morning near the frontline, further deepening the crisis.
History of Violence
Goma has been a focal point of violence in eastern DRC for over 30 years. The M23 briefly occupied the city in 2012 before being pushed out by the Congolese army with support from MONUSCO and international diplomatic pressure.
With diplomatic efforts failing and fighting intensifying, the region risks descending into a larger regional conflict. The international community continues to call for urgent action to prevent further humanitarian and security disasters.
This ongoing conflict underscores the fragile state of peace and security in eastern DRC, as the region remains trapped in cycles of violence and displacement. Would you like to dive into any specific aspect of this story?
