Escalating Conflict Grips Goma as Rebels Clash with Army in DR Congo

As fierce clashes continue between M23 rebels and the Congolese army in Goma, residents fear for their safety, with reports of casualties and mass displacement. The violence draws accusations against Rwanda for supporting the rebels, while regional leaders urge for peace.

The city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is engulfed in a fierce conflict as rebel forces continue to clash with the Congolese army. Gunfire echoes through the streets, with many residents expressing their fears as reports of heavy fighting circulate.

A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their experience of being trapped in their home during this weekend's violence, stating, "All we can hear [are] gunshots around the city." Videos have surfaced showcasing M23 rebels patrolling Goma's streets following their swift advance against Congolese forces, which has led to tens of thousands fleeing the area.

The M23 rebels claim control over Goma, a statement that the Congolese government disputes. Prosper, a journalist located in the city, described an alarming atmosphere, highlighting ongoing skirmishes between rebel fighters and government troops. The situation has prompted local residents like Lucie, who lives in fear, to take shelter in their homes. "We can hear the shooting outside our homes. We cannot leave," she reported.

With casualties rising, AFP has confirmed that at least 17 people have died and over 300 have sustained injuries due to the conflict. The tension escalated following accusations from DR Congo's foreign minister, who attributed the unrest to Rwanda allegedly providing military support to the M23. Rwanda acknowledges its backing of the rebels but accuses the Congolese government of harboring militias seeking to destabilize Kigali.

Amid the escalating crisis, Kenya's President William Ruto, chair of the East African Community, has called for an immediate ceasefire and announced a summit with leaders from both nations to address the ongoing conflict. The situation is compounded in Rwanda, where violence has also erupted, reportedly resulting in civilian deaths in the border town of Gisenyi.

The M23 group, which has gained notoriety for its significant territorial control in mineral-rich eastern DR Congo since its resurgence in 2021, continues to advance dangerously close to Goma. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported the displacement of over 400,000 individuals due to increasing violence in the North and South Kivu provinces since the start of 2025.

Among those displaced, Alice Feza expressed desperation as she faced the trauma of fleeing once more from the M23 advances, stating, "The war catches us here among the host families; now we have nowhere to go." Vital access points surrounding Goma have been rendered impassable, while the city’s airport has ceased operations for evacuation and humanitarian efforts, pending official government claims that troops are still in control of strategic areas, including the airport itself.

A local witness shared that despite occasional sightings of soldiers near the airport, confusion reigns in Goma as looting incidents begin to be reported. Reverend Damiri, a chaplain at a local hospital, noted the mixed conditions in Goma, affirming that while some parts remain calm, clashes appear rampant elsewhere in the city.

Earlier reports indicated heavy artillery exchanging fire in the city's center, coinciding with a total prison breakout, resulting in convoluted scenarios for law enforcement. With power and water supplies cut off in various districts, the urgent need for stability and humanitarian aid has become a pressing concern.

UN Secretary General António Guterres has called for Rwanda's withdrawal from DR Congo, urging the M23 to abandon its military pursuits. Following the gory conflict, the UN is also reevaluating its presence in Goma by withdrawing non-essential personnel.

The M23 emerged as a splinter group from another rebel faction in 2012, originally claiming to defend the Tutsi population in eastern DR Congo, amid long-held grievances of persecution. However, critics have accused Rwanda of leveraging the conflict to extract lucrative minerals like gold and cobalt from Eastern DR Congo, raising pressing regional tensions.