Gambiaj.com – (GOMA, DR Congo) – The city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is embroiled in fierce clashes between Congolese forces and M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda. On Monday, the M23 movement claimed to have captured parts of Goma, demanding the immediate surrender of the Congolese army.
The situation on the ground remains chaotic, with conflicting reports about which areas are under rebel control and which remain in the hands of government forces. Artillery fire and bursts of light weapons have echoed across the city, further fueling fear among residents who remain confined to their homes.
Strategic Advances by M23 Rebels
Supported by an estimated 3,500 Rwandan soldiers, according to United Nations sources, the M23 rebels began their assault on Goma on Sunday. By Monday, the group reportedly seized the facilities of the National Radio and Television of Congo (RTNC) in Goma, marking a significant strategic victory. Control of the RTNC installations allows the rebels to establish a communication foothold and assert dominance over the city, according to local sources and Radio Okapi.
Fighting has been particularly intense in the districts of Majengo and Himbi, with the rebels advancing toward the city center despite resistance from the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and allied self-defense groups known as the Wazalendo. Heavy and light weapons continue to reverberate across Goma, leaving residents trapped in their homes and gripped by fear.
Scenes of jubilation
Residents in several parts of the city greeted the M23 with joy. According to a consular source who spoke to AFP on Monday, the Goma border with Rwanda is closed. A humanitarian worker at the primary crossing point between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda stated, “Apart
from a few UN staff, no one is going in, no one is going out.” The M23 (“March 23 Movement“), which was founded in 2012 and violently vanquished the following year, temporarily controlled Goma at the end of 2012.
The DRC requested a “total embargo on exports of all minerals labeled as Rwandan” and “targeted sanctions” on Rwandan political and military figures from the UN Security Council. The European Union demanded that Rwanda “withdraw immediately” and that the M23 “stop its advance”. The African Union (AU) demanded “strict observation of the ceasefire agreed upon between the parties in July“.
Government Condemns Rwanda
The DRC government has accused Rwanda of direct involvement in the assault, a claim Kigali has consistently denied despite mounting evidence and reports from UN sources. Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner described the situation as “a declaration of war” by Rwanda, adding that the international community has turned a blind eye to Rwanda’s alleged provocations.
“Rwanda has been authorized by the international community to sow chaos within our borders,” Wagner stated, emphasizing that the crisis extends beyond the DRC.
Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya expressed concern for civilian safety, noting, “The government continues to work to avoid carnage and loss of life.” However, he provided little detail on the status of loyalist forces battling to defend the city.
Civilian Impact
Goma, a city known for its proximity to the active Nyiragongo volcano and a hub for tourism, now faces a humanitarian crisis. The ongoing clashes have created a climate of panic, with residents unable to access basic services or flee to safety. Meanwhile, in Rwanda, authorities have reported at least five civilian deaths from cross-border shelling, further exacerbating tensions between the two nations.
The escalating violence in Goma underscores the fragile security situation in eastern DRC, where multiple armed groups have operated for decades. The involvement of external actors like Rwanda has drawn international condemnation, with calls for immediate intervention to prevent further bloodshed.
As the fighting continues, the fate of Goma and its inhabitants hangs in the balance, with no clear resolution in sight.
