Congo Rebels Close In on Eastern City of Goma, Forcing Thousands to Flee.

Hundreds of rebel fighters, singing and brandishing weapons, pulled out of Congo’s eastern border city of Goma on Saturday, raising hopes for negotiations to end the insurgency. Courtesy image.p

The M23 rebel group has intensified its advance on the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), creating widespread panic and forcing over 100,000 people to flee their homes.

The insurgents have made significant progress in recent days, with heavy fighting erupting on Thursday in Sake, a town just 20 kilometers from Goma, the region’s largest city. While the rebels have not yet seized Goma, many fear it is only a matter of time before they do, as the city was briefly captured by the M23 in 2012.

Eastern Congo has long been a volatile region, plagued by armed groups and militias vying for control over its mineral-rich lands. The ongoing conflict, which traces its roots to the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, has contributed to a humanitarian disaster, with more than 7 million people displaced and a growing death toll.

In an effort to halt the rebels’ progress, soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have been engaged in combat, particularly near key areas such as the village of Kibumba, located between Goma and Rutshuru in North Kivu province. Despite the DRC military’s efforts, the rebels continue to make gains, most recently seizing Minova, a town that lies along a vital supply route to Goma. This has further raised concerns about the city’s vulnerability.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, regional dynamics have shifted, with South African-led forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) withdrawing after being chased away by the M23. The South African troops, who were stationed to defend Goma, are reportedly running low on ammunition, with negotiations underway for their withdrawal through neighboring Rwanda. The fighting has already resulted in numerous casualties, intensifying the dire humanitarian crisis in the region.

General Sylvain Ekenge, the spokesperson for the DRC army, has reassured the public that efforts are underway to block the rebels’ advance and restore peace. However, the international community remains concerned about the ongoing instability, with the M23’s actions exacerbating an already fragile situation in eastern Congo.

The conflict has displaced more than 237,000 people in just the first few weeks of 2025, with no immediate resolution in sight. The DRC’s struggle against numerous armed factions, including the M23, continues to fuel one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, as millions of civilians remain trapped in the crossfire.

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