In brief
Fighting in Goma, DR Congo, has resulted in the deaths of at least 700 people since Sunday, as the M23 rebels continue their advance towards Bukavu, raising alarms over the worsening humanitarian crisis.
In a devastating escalation of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the United Nations has reported that at least 700 people have been killed since violent clashes erupted on Sunday in Goma, the largest city in the eastern part of the country. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric indicated that an additional 2,800 individuals have sustained injuries as the M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, seized control of North Kivu province's capital.The M23 group, which comprises ethnic Tutsis, claims to be fighting for minority rights, while the DRC government accuses the rebels of attempting to gain control over the region's extensive mineral resources. Reports confirm that the rebels are now heading south towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.The casualty figures were compiled by the World Health Organization and relevant partners working alongside the DRC government, covering the period from Sunday to Thursday. Dujarric warned that these numbers may increase as the situation remains fluid. In response to the advancing M23 forces, the DRC military has established defensive positions on the route connecting Goma and Bukavu, with civilian volunteers stepping up to protect their communities. A local brave young volunteer declared, "I am ready to die for my country."South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki asserted that government forces and their allies are managing to keep the M23 rebels at bay; however, independent verification of this statement remains lacking. M23 has declared intentions to continue their offensive until they reach the capital, Kinshasa, located approximately 2,600 kilometers (1,600 miles) away.Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC foreign minister, accused Rwanda of illegal occupation and attempting regime change, criticizing the international community for allowing Rwandan President Paul Kagame to act without accountability. Rwandan government representatives rejected these claims, asserting that their military's presence is solely to prevent the conflict from spilling onto Rwandan soil.UN experts had estimated last year that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops were operating alongside M23 in the eastern DRC. In a show of solidarity, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) pledged its support for the DRC during a summit in Zimbabwe, sending peacekeeping troops, predominantly from South Africa, to assist in stabilizing the region plagued by violence for decades.Recent clashes have resulted in the deaths of 16 soldiers from southern African countries over the past week. Furthermore, the ongoing fighting has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. Shelley Thakral, from the UN's World Food Programme, highlighted the severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies affecting Goma’s residents, stating that the supply chain has been severely disrupted.Since the beginning of 2025, more than 400,000 individuals have been displaced by violence, according to reports from the UN refugee agency. This turmoil takes place against the backdrop of DRC's vast territorial expanse, making it Africa's second-largest nation and a crucible of historical conflict involving numerous neighboring countries, often referred to as Africa's World Wars.
