GOMA, Congo — On Saturday, reports emerged indicating that fighting in eastern Congo involving M23 rebels has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers, according to United Nations and military officials. This ongoing conflict has seen M23 make substantial advances in recent weeks, effectively encircling Goma, a key city that houses around 2 million residents and serves as a major center for security and humanitarian operations.
In response to the escalating conflict, the U.N. Security Council has expedited an emergency meeting to discuss the violence, now scheduled for Sunday morning at 10 am EST. This request was made by the Congo government and was brought forward from the original agenda set for Monday.
On the ground, Congo’s military reported that they successfully repelled an offensive from M23 aimed at Goma, with assistance from allied forces, including U.N. troops and personnel from the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC). “The Rwandan-backed M23 is clearly exploiting the presidential transition in the U.S. to advance on Goma — putting thousands more civilians at risk,” stated Kate Hixon, advocacy director for Africa with Amnesty International US.
Allegations from Congo, the United States, and U.N. experts suggest that Rwanda is providing support to the M23 group, which primarily consists of ethnic Tutsis who split from the Congolese army over a decade ago. While the Rwandan government refutes these claims, it has acknowledged deploying troops and missile systems within eastern Congo for self-protection, citing concerns over a buildup of Congolese forces near the border. U.N. estimates indicate that as many as 4,000 Rwandan troops may be present in Congo.
Evidence of the conflict’s intensity was evident on Saturday, as the charred remnants of a white armored vehicle, displaying U.N. markings, were found on a road between Goma and Sake, an area that has seen much of the recent fighting. Reports indicate that two South African peacekeepers lost their lives on Friday, while another from Uruguay was killed on Saturday. These details were shared by a U.N. official who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.
In addition, the U.N. office in Malawi confirmed the deaths of three Malawian peacekeepers in eastern Congo. The South African defense department also reported that seven soldiers from SAMIDRC were killed in clashes with M23 over the past two days.
Identifying one of its fallen soldiers, Uruguay’s military confirmed that Rodolfo Álvarez, part of the Uruguay IV Battalion, was killed. The battalion is noted for its commitment to fulfilling the United Nations’ mission and ensuring the safe evacuation of non-critical personnel from Goma. The military emphasized that steps have been taken to enhance the security of their troops amid challenging conditions, and additionally reported that four other Uruguayan peacekeepers sustained injuries during the conflict. Of those injured, three are being treated in Goma, while one has been evacuated to Uganda for further care.
Since 2021, efforts by the Congo government alongside allied forces, including SAMIDRC and U.N. troops, have focused on keeping M23 forces at bay from Goma. The U.N. peacekeeping operation, known as MONUSCO, has been present in Congo for over 20 years, deploying roughly 14,000 peacekeepers.
On the day of the tragic fatalities, South Africa’s defense minister, Angie Motshekga, was reported to be visiting the South African troops engaged in the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo.
