GOMA, Congo — On Wednesday, Rwandan-backed rebels continued to expand their territory in eastern Congo, despite their earlier announcement of a unilateral ceasefire. They seized control of a town located 100 kilometers (roughly 60 miles) from Bukavu, the provincial capital, as reported by civil society officials and local residents.
Congo’s M23 rebels maintain that Goma is still “under occupation.” The ceasefire they declared has now been breached, as their forces engage in significant combat along the main route leading to Bukavu, according to Vivian van de Perre, the United Nations’ deputy representative in the country. She noted that M23 rebels are positioned about 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Bukavu.
Initially, the M23 announced the ceasefire on humanitarian grounds, citing the urgent need for safe passage for aid and the assistance of hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals. However, the government of Congo has dismissed the ceasefire as mere “false communication,” and the U.N. has acknowledged ongoing heavy clashes against Congolese military forces in this mineral-rich area.
Van de Perre indicated that all access points to Goma, including the airport, are now under the control of M23 and the Rwandan military. The United Nations peacekeeping mission, known as MONUSCO, has faced severe restrictions in operating within the city. She emphasized that it is crucial to restore the damaged Goma airport for essential civilian and humanitarian operations. The U.N. expressed serious concerns over potential losses at Bukavu’s Kavumu airport, which is currently occupied by Congolese military forces.
Néné Bintou, head of the civil society group in South Kivu province, confirmed that the mining town of Nyabibwe had fallen into the hands of M23 rebels. Nyabibwe lies directly between Goma and Bukavu, the latter having been captured by the rebels the previous week. Moïse Bisimwa, a local resident, reported that rebels took control of Nyabibwe early in the morning, escalating fears about the conflict’s current state. “Clearly, the ceasefire declared by them is nothing but deception,” he remarked.
Congolese authorities stated that the coalition of the RDF (Rwandan Defense Forces) and M23 has been violating the ceasefire and has faced tough resistance from the national military around Nyabibwe. They characterized the unilateral ceasefire as a “Rwandan lie” and claimed that troops had crossed into Nigeria from Goma to conduct attacks on Nyabibwe.
According to U.N. experts, the M23 rebels have the backing of approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops, a significantly higher number than in 2012 when they captured Goma for a brief period before withdrawing under international pressure. The M23 is currently the strongest among the over 100 armed groups operating in eastern Congo, a region rich in vital minerals used globally in technology.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame expressed uncertainty about whether Rwandan troops were in Congo, yet maintained that his nation would take necessary measures for its own security. Analysts have raised alarms regarding Rwanda’s intentions to assert control over certain areas of Congo to secure access to vital resources. Meanwhile, the Rwandan government has framed the conflict as a protective measure for ethnic Tutsis in eastern Congo against Hutu forces associated with the Rwanda genocide that claimed around 800,000 lives three decades ago.
Rwanda has previously entered Congo under similar justifications, contributing to one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts that has left millions of Congolese displaced. In addition, Uganda has sent soldiers into Congo with the president’s authorization, particularly in Ituri province to combat the Allied Democratic Forces since 2021. However, Ugandan military representatives stated there had been no new deployments recently.
Following their takeover of Goma, a city of two million people located in a mineral-rich region, the M23 rebels have reportedly made advances in other eastern areas and are moving toward Bukavu. Although they have denied any intention to seize Bukavu or additional territory, they have previously indicated ambitions to reach Kinshasa, the capital, situated over a thousand miles away. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka reiterated their commitment to safeguarding civilians and maintaining their positions.
In Goma, the Red Cross has collected nearly 2,000 bodies from ongoing violence, with about 787 still present in health facilities. Residents continue to mourn their losses as the situation remains precarious. Van de Perre highlighted the expectation for this death toll to rise, stressing that numerous bodies remain undiscovered in various locations. She characterized the situation as “very fluid” and indicated that the increasing violence has generated tremendous humanitarian suffering and a rising crisis.
The U.N.’s humanitarian operations in Congo are poised to face obstacles due to the U.S. halting aid funding, which will impact groups like the International Organization for Migration.
In a separate but relevant development, Congolese authorities announced an international arrest warrant for Corneille Nangaa, a political leader within the M23. Additionally, the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court called for evidence regarding atrocities committed in eastern Congo, stating that investigations into alleged crimes will continue without restrictions based on affiliation or nationality.
