M23 rebels have made significant territorial gains in recent weeks, encircling the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mineral-rich eastern region. The city, home to approximately two million people, serves as a vital hub for both security and humanitarian efforts, heightening concerns as fighting intensifies.
As clashes between M23 and government forces continue, hundreds of men, women, and children have been injured and rushed to hospitals in and around Goma. The escalation of violence has taken a heavy toll on civilians, with hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of casualties.
The United Nations reported that nine peacekeepers were injured in the fighting over the past two days, during clashes with M23 rebels in the town of Sake, located just 27 kilometers west of Goma. The town, a key route into the provincial capital, was taken by the rebels on Thursday, marking another significant victory for the armed group.
M23, a rebel group that has been active in the region for over a decade, is one of about 100 armed factions competing for control of eastern Congo’s mineral wealth. The rebels, predominantly ethnic Tutsis who split from the Congolese army, have been involved in ongoing conflict with government forces and other armed groups in the area.
In a significant blow to the Congolese government, M23 rebels killed Maj. Gen. Peter Cirimwami, the governor of North Kivu province, on Thursday. Cirimwami, who had been leading military operations in the region, was visiting troops near the front lines in Kasengezi, about 13 kilometers from Goma, when he was injured. He later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital, officials confirmed.
The violence in the region has been exacerbated by longstanding tensions along the border with Rwanda. The United Nations, DR Congo, and the U.S. have accused Rwanda of supporting M23, although the Rwandan government denies these claims. Rwanda has, however, acknowledged deploying troops and missile systems in eastern Congo to safeguard its security, citing the buildup of Congolese forces near the border.
The M23 advance has already displaced more than 400,000 people since the beginning of the year, according to the U.N. refugee agency. This displacement has worsened conditions in overcrowded camps in and around Goma, leading to a spike in cholera cases. The ongoing conflict continues to deepen the humanitarian crisis in a region already struggling with decades of instability.
