The eastern city of Goma has become a battleground as heavy fighting between Congolese government forces and M23 rebels intensifies, trapping terrified civilians and deepening a humanitarian crisis. Residents describe streets echoing with gunfire and explosions, while conflicting claims over control of the city fuel confusion and fear.
“We’re hearing gunshots everywhere—no one dares step outside,” said Jean-Baptiste, a Goma resident sheltering in his home since Sunday. His account mirrors those of thousands caught in the crossfire as M23 fighters, accused of Rwandan backing, pushed into the city following a rapid weekend advance. Videos circulating online show rebels patrolling key roads, though authorities insist the army retains control of strategic sites, including the airport.
At least 17 civilians have been killed and over 300 injured, according to AFP reports, while the UN warns of a dire humanitarian collapse. Critical supply routes into Goma are blocked, and the airport—a lifeline for evacuations—has been rendered unusable. Power and water cuts plague neighborhoods, compounding desperation.
“We’ve fled four times already. Nowhere feels safe,” said Alice Feza, among more than 400,000 displaced since January 2025 in North and South Kivu provinces. Many, like Feza, now crowd host families or makeshift camps, their futures uncertain.
Chaos erupted further Monday as a Goma prison holding 3,000 inmates was reportedly set ablaze, with unverified footage showing mass escapes. A security source confirmed deaths during the jailbreak, though details remain scarce.
Regional Tensions Boil Over
The conflict’s roots stretch back years but have recently flared with accusations of foreign interference. DR Congo’s government accuses Rwanda of “declaring war” by deploying troops to aid M23—a claim Kigali denies, instead alleging Congolese collusion with anti-Rwandan militias.
Also, read: Ghana’s Gold Trade Fuels Record $5 Billion Trade Surplus in 2024
Rwanda’s own border town of Gisenyi has not been spared: five civilians died in shelling there, per a Rwandan military spokesperson. Meanwhile, regional leaders scramble to mediate. Kenyan President William Ruto, chair of the East African Community, announced an emergency summit Wednesday with both nations’ presidents attending. “Peace cannot wait,” Ruto stressed.
Claims and Counterclaims
While M23 asserts control over Goma, the Congolese army insists it holds strategic sites. “The airport remains ours,” read a government statement Monday, vowing to defend the city “at all costs.” Yet Reverend Damiri, a Goma hospital chaplain, described a fractured reality: “Soldiers gather in some areas, but rebels dominate much of the city.”
The UN, withdrawing non-essential staff, condemned Rwanda’s alleged support for M23 after 13 peacekeepers were killed in recent clashes.
Secretary-General António Guterres demanded Rwandan forces exit Congo and rebels halt their advance. Rwanda’s UN envoy, Ernest Rwamucyo, fired back, criticizing the focus on M23 over alleged army ceasefire violations.
A Cycle of Violence
M23, formed in 2012 to protect Tutsis from persecution, has long been accused of exploiting Congo’s mineral wealth—a charge Rwanda denies. The group’s resurgence since 2021 has reignited regional tensions, with displaced civilians bearing the brunt.
As artillery rattles Goma, locals like Lucie, hiding in her bed, voice exhaustion: “We’re trapped. The war follows us everywhere.” With aid routes severed and diplomacy racing against time, the city’s fate hangs in the balance—a stark reminder of a conflict with no end in sight.