Escalating Clashes in Eastern DR Congo Amid International Condemnation

Violent clashes erupted on the outskirts of Goma, Sunday, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between the Congolese army and the anti-government M23 rebel group, which is backed by Rwanda and its military. The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Sunday to address the intensifying conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of 13 foreign soldiers, including three from the UN peacekeeping force. The situation raises concerns over the potential for a broader regional conflict.

After failed mediation efforts between the DRC and Rwanda, led by Angola, M23 rebels, along with an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers according to the UN, have made rapid advances in recent weeks. They now almost entirely encircle Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, home to one million residents and a comparable number of displaced persons.

Explosions have been heard in the heart of Goma since dawn, while Congolese military helicopters patrol the skies. Roads see sporadic traffic from cars and motorbikes, though most shops remain closed. With battles now less than 10 kilometers from the city, waves of new displaced families continue to arrive. On Saturday, the Congolese military spokesperson accused Rwanda of being “determined to seize Goma,” affirming the Congolese army’s resolve to “repel the enemy.”

Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe told AFP that Kigali “evacuated” its last diplomat from Kinshasa on Friday. In response, Kinshasa announced on Saturday that it had recalled its diplomats from Kigali “with immediate effect.” In late 2012, M23 briefly seized control of Goma before being militarily defeated in 2013. Since then, eastern DRC has experienced recurring conflict fueled by its vast natural resources, with six prior ceasefires failing to hold. The latest ceasefire agreement was signed at the end of July 2023.

On Saturday, the European Union urged M23 to “halt its advance” and “immediately withdraw,” in a statement signed by all 27 member states. The African Union also called for “strict adherence to the agreed-upon ceasefire.” French President Emmanuel Macron, in calls with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, demanded an “immediate end to the M23 and Rwandan forces’ offensive and their withdrawal from Congolese territory.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed “concern” on Thursday over the renewed violence, warning of the “risk of a regional war.” The clashes have claimed the lives of 13 foreign soldiers, including three UN peacekeepers. On Friday, the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), comprising 15,000 personnel, announced that its elite Rapid Reaction Force is actively engaging in fierce battles against M23. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has also deployed troops in eastern DRC since late 2023 to support Kinshasa, including 2,900 South African soldiers.

The ongoing conflict, which has lasted over three years, has exacerbated the chronic humanitarian crisis in the region. The UN reports that 400,000 people have been displaced since the start of January. The organization has begun evacuating its “non-essential staff” from Goma, while the U.S., France, the UK, and Germany have urged their nationals to leave the city “as soon as possible,” as long as the airport remains operational and borders stay open.