UN Reports Over 700 Deaths in Escalating DR Congo Conflict

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At least 700 people have been killed and 2,800 injured in heavy fighting around Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), since Sunday, according to the United Nations (UN). The clashes have intensified as the M23 rebel group, reportedly backed by Rwanda, continues its advance, capturing the capital of North Kivu province and now pushing southward towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.

The crisis in eastern DR Congo is not new. It traces back to the 1990s, but recent weeks have seen a dramatic escalation. The M23 rebels, a group made up largely of ethnic Tutsis, claim they are fighting for minority rights. However, the Congolese government argues that the rebels, with Rwandan support, are seeking to control the region’s vast mineral wealth—resources that include gold, coltan, and cobalt, critical to global industries.

With the rebels advancing, the DR Congo military has set up a defensive line on the road between Goma and Bukavu. Hundreds of civilians have also joined the fight. “I am ready to die for my country,” one young volunteer told AFP.

Despite official statements that government forces are holding back the rebels, the situation remains volatile, with M23 recently threatening to continue their offensive all the way to Kinshasa, the country’s capital—over 2,600 kilometers (1,600 miles) away.

International Accusations and Rwanda’s Denial

The crisis has further inflamed tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, DR Congo’s foreign minister, accused Rwanda of illegally occupying Congolese territory and attempting to orchestrate regime change. She also criticized the international community for failing to hold Rwandan President Paul Kagameaccountable for repeated violations of international law.

Rwanda has denied these claims. Yolande Makolo, Rwanda’s government spokeswoman, stated that Rwandan forces are only deployed to prevent the conflict from spilling over into their territory. “We’re not interested in war, annexation, or regime change,” she told the BBC.UN Reports Over 700 Deaths in Escalating DR Congo Conflict

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However, UN experts estimated in 2024 that Rwanda had between 3,000 and 4,000 troops operating alongside M23in eastern DR Congo, adding weight to Kinshasa’s accusations.

In response to the crisis, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened a summit in Zimbabwe, where the 16-member bloc declared its full support for DR Congo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. SADC has already deployed peacekeeping forces, primarily from South Africa, to combat rebel groups. However, the mission has come at a cost—16 soldiers from southern African countries have been killed in recent clashes around Goma.

The escalating violence has worsened an already dire humanitarian situation. Shelley Thakral of the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) warned that people in Goma are running out of food, clean water, and medical supplies. “The supply chain has been strangled—land access, air access—everything is closed down,” she said.

Since the start of 2025, more than 400,000 people have been displaced, according to the UN’s refugee agency. The conflict threatens to plunge the region into deeper instability, with fears that it could escalate into a broader war, as seen in the 1990s, when multiple nations were drawn into what became known as Africa’s World Wars.

As international pressure mounts and humanitarian needs grow, all eyes are on regional leaders and global powers to find a diplomatic solution before the violence spirals even further out of control.

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