Tensions are high in the DRC as M23 rebels advance in North and South Kivu, capturing strategic facilities in Goma. President Tshisekedi is set to address the nation amid escalating violence and a humanitarian crisis affecting over 400,000 people. The U.N. expresses deep concern and calls for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of rebels from occupied areas.
Tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remain elevated as the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels have made significant territorial advancements in the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. The ongoing violence poses a severe humanitarian crisis, prompting President Felix Tshisekedi to prepare to address the nation regarding the situation in Goma, where attacks by the rebel group have intensified.
In Goma, a city with a population of over 700,000 internally displaced individuals, residents have reported gunfire throughout the city since Sunday evening. Combat has spread across various neighborhoods, particularly near the Rwandan border. The deputy U.N. envoy for DRC stated that the situation was rapidly evolving, with active fighting occurring in nearly all parts of the city.
The M23 rebels gained a strategic advantage by capturing Mount Goma and have infiltrated various neighborhoods. As a result, local authorities have indicated that the border with Rwanda has been closed amid rising panic among Goma’s residents. The rebels announced that they have successfully completed the “liberation of the city” and asserted control over key locations, including the airport and a military base.
The U.N. Security Council is expected to convene for a second emergency meeting to discuss the deteriorating security landscape in eastern DRC. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and condemned the M23’s actions, demanding an immediate halt to all hostilities and a withdrawal from occupied territories, as the crisis has displaced over 400,000 individuals since early 2025.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been grappling with ongoing instability and conflicts, particularly in its eastern regions where various armed groups, including the M23 rebellion, operate. This turmoil has led to significant humanitarian crises, characterized by mass displacements and deteriorating living conditions. The government faces challenges in restoring peace and order against these rebel advances, putting immense pressure on local and international efforts to manage the escalating violence.
The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in Goma, remains dire as M23 rebels intensify their attacks, seizing key infrastructures and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The global community, led by the U.N., is urged to respond promptly to this escalating conflict as thousands continue to suffer displacement and violence. The need for peace and stability in the region has never been more pressing.
Original Source: english.news.cn