The M23 rebel forces on Monday claimed that they have seized control of Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The reported capture of Goma follows a rapid advance by M23 – a group the United Nations links to neighboring Rwanda – on Congolese army positions last week. Throughout the day, the city, which serves as the capital of North Kivu province and a regional hub for security and humanitarian efforts, was rocked by a barrage of gunfire and explosions.
In the midst of the fighting, several Congolese soldiers have reportedly fled to Rwanda and surrendered their weapons, although this information has yet to be independently verified.
#Congo (#DRC) 🇨🇩: Several Congolese soldiers have fled to #Rwanda 🇷🇼 and surrendered with their weapons:#Israel-made 🇮🇱 Emtan MZ-4P rifle, #China-made 🇨🇳 Type 69 RPG Launcher, #Romania-made 🇷🇴 PM md. 65 rifle, #Bulgaria-made 🇧🇬 MG-1M machine gun, #Iran-made 🇮🇷 KL-103… pic.twitter.com/GlUlfDcPd7
— War Noir (@war_noir) January 27, 2025
While the Congolese government acknowledged the presence of M23 rebels in Goma, located 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) east of the capital Kinshasa, it refrained from confirming their control of the city.
No centimeter will be given up!!!” government spokesman Patrick Muyaya declared on X. He assured the public that the government is doing everything in its power to address the crisis: “The government continues to work to prevent carnage and loss of life, given the clear intentions of Rwanda.”
As the situation remains tense, Muyaya urged Goma residents to stay at home and reject Rwanda’s “manipulative propaganda.”
Thousands of residents, along with those already displaced by previous fighting, fled to nearby towns on foot or by motorbike, carrying their belongings due to the ongoing fighting. The United Nations described the situation as “mass panic,” with over 237,000 people displaced in January 2025 alone.
Gunfire could be heard across eastern Congo’s major city of Goma as Rwandan-backed rebels said they had seized the city with Congolese soldiers handing over weapons and thousands fleeing into Rwanda https://t.co/O1uTK8sFlw pic.twitter.com/uYoJbfAjb4
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 27, 2025
The United Nations, France, and other Western nations have accused Rwanda of supporting M23, with reports of Rwandan troops escorting rebel forces. Rwanda denies these claims, stating its actions aim to protect Congolese Tutsi communities.
France, the U.K., and the U.S. have condemned Rwanda’s role but have stopped short of imposing sanctions, citing political and economic considerations.
