‪Chaos in Congo: M23 Rebels Capture Goma, A Strategic City In Eastern DRC‬

In a dramatic escalation of one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts, M23 rebels claimed control of Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, early Monday.

“We urge all residents of Goma to remain calm. The liberation of the city has been successfully carried out, and the situation is under control,” said the group in their Monday’s communique.

The capture of this strategic hub has sent shockwaves through the region, with the United Nations reporting “mass panic” among its 2 million residents and Congo’s government declaring the rebel advance a “declaration of war.”

The Fall of Goma

The M23 rebels announced their capture of Goma just minutes before a 48-hour ultimatum for the Congolese army to surrender expired. In a statement, the group urged residents to remain calm and called on Congolese soldiers to assemble at the city’s central stadium. This bold move marks a significant shift in the ongoing conflict, which has already displaced over a third of the population in North Kivu province, where Goma is located.

The city’s fall threatens to exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis. According to UN reports, the region is home to millions of displaced civilians, many of whom are now fleeing once again as the rebels advance. Late Sunday night, UN peacekeepers began processing surrendering Congolese soldiers on the outskirts of the city, while the Uruguayan army, part of the UN mission, reported that over a hundred soldiers had laid down their weapons.

A Region in Turmoil

The M23’s recent territorial gains along Congo’s border with Rwanda have reignited tensions in the mineral-rich region. Despite Rwanda’s denials, Congo, the United States, and UN experts accuse Rwanda of backing the rebels, who are primarily ethnic Tutsis that broke away from the Congolese army over a decade ago. Rwanda has acknowledged deploying troops to eastern Congo for security reasons but denies direct support for M23.

Congo’s government has responded by severing diplomatic ties with Rwanda, pulling all diplomatic staff from the country. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe called the move unilateral, stating that Rwanda had evacuated its remaining diplomat from Kinshasa due to safety concerns.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The capture of Goma has left the city’s residents in a state of fear and uncertainty. Heavy gunfire echoed across the city on Sunday, prompting scores of civilians to flee. Many sought refuge in Rwanda, while others expressed despair over the lack of safe havens. “I heard that there are bombs in Goma, too, so now we don’t know where to go,” said Adèle Shimiye, a displaced resident.

The UN has warned that the situation could deteriorate further if hostilities spill into Goma, a densely populated urban center. UN deputy humanitarian chief Joyce Msuya emphasized the potential for devastating civilian casualties, urging immediate action to de-escalate the conflict.

International Response

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting late Sunday, where UN special representative Bintou Keita described the dire situation. She reported that M23 fighters were advancing into Goma’s outskirts, using residents as human shields and causing mass panic. Keita also noted that the rebels had declared the airspace over Goma closed, effectively trapping UN personnel and civilians.

The United States and France have called for an immediate ceasefire and urged Rwanda to withdraw its support for M23. Acting US Ambassador Dorothy Shea warned that the US would “consider all the tools at its disposal” to hold those responsible for the conflict accountable.

A History of Conflict

This is not the first time Goma has fallen to M23. The rebels captured the city in 2012 but withdrew under international pressure. Since then, Congo’s government, supported by UN peacekeepers and regional forces, has managed to keep the rebels at bay. However, the recent surge in violence, which has claimed the lives of at least 13 peacekeepers in the past week, underscores the fragility of the region’s security.

What’s Next?

As the conflict intensifies, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene. The capture of Goma represents a significant setback for peace efforts in the region and highlights the urgent need for a coordinated response to address the root causes of the conflict.

For now, the people of Goma remain caught in the crossfire, their lives upended by a war that shows no signs of abating. As one resident, Bahati Jackson, put it: “If we’re going to die, it’s better to die here.”