Tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have escalated as M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, seized control of Goma, a strategic city in the mineral-rich eastern region.
Here’s the latest on what’s happening in DRC
Videos circulating online show thousands of civilians fleeing as heavily armed militants enter the area, sparking chaos and fear.
The capture of Goma followed a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the rebels for Congolese forces to surrender.
Reports from witnesses reveal sporadic gunfire near the airport and the city centre, with looting also reported in some areas.
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The United Nations (UN) has described the situation as a “declaration of war” that threatens to worsen an already dire humanitarian crisis.
According to the UN, more than 400,000 people have been displaced since January 2025, adding to the millions already uprooted by decades of conflict.
The humanitarian and security hub in Goma has been effectively shut down, with roads blocked and the airport out of operation.
Several SANDF soldiers killed in combat
The conflict has claimed the lives of several peacekeepers, including nine members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
These soldiers were deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), which supports efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.
South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Mathu Joyini, condemned the attacks on peacekeepers, urging the UN Security Council to take decisive action.
“This Council must send a clear message that peacekeepers’ lives matter,” Joyini said, calling for an end to the violence against MONUSCO and SAMIDRC personnel.
In addition to offering condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, Joyini called on the Rwandan Defence Forces to cease their support for M23 and urged the rebels to withdraw from occupied areas.
The ambassador stressed the need for urgent international intervention to prevent further displacement, injury, and loss of life.
What’s the history of the DRC war?
The conflict in the DRC is one of the world’s longest and most complex wars, rooted in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide in 1994.
After the genocide, armed groups, including Rwandan Hutu militias, fled into eastern DRC, triggering regional instability.
Over the years, the DRC’s mineral-rich regions have become a battleground for various rebel groups, militias, and foreign forces.
M23, a rebel group composed primarily of ethnic Tutsi fighters, emerged in 2012, citing grievances over discrimination and unmet peace agreements.
Despite a 2013 peace accord, M23 resurfaced in late 2021, accusing the Congolese government of failing to honour past commitments.
The involvement of neighbouring countries, including Rwanda and Uganda, has exacerbated tensions, with accusations of resource exploitation and proxy warfare.
The current resurgence of M23 has reignited fears of a broader regional conflict, as efforts under the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes struggle to find lasting solutions.
