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The M23 rebel group has taken control of Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following days of intense fighting that has left at least 700 people dead and 2,800 injured.
The escalating violence, which unfolded between January 26 and 30, has plunged the region into a deep humanitarian crisis, with thousands of residents fleeing their homes and access to basic necessities becoming increasingly scarce.
The World Health Organization (WHO), working alongside the Congolese government, conducted an assessment of the situation and confirmed the rising death toll. However, authorities warn that the real numbers could be even higher as the extent of the devastation becomes clearer.
With the fall of Goma, aid organizations have faced looting and attacks on their offices and warehouses, making it harder to provide assistance to those in need. Many residents have been left without access to clean water, forcing them to rely on untreated sources like Lake Kivu, raising fears of disease outbreaks.
Beyond Goma, the rebels have continued their advance, now positioned just 60 kilometers north of Bukavu, another key city in the region. The rapid gains by M23 have sparked concern over the possibility of a broader conflict, particularly given longstanding allegations that Rwanda has been backing the group—a claim Kigali denies.
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President Félix Tshisekedi has vowed a “vigorous and coordinated response” to counter the rebel offensive. Meanwhile, peacekeeping forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) remain in the country, while France has called for urgent discussions at the United Nations Security Council to address the worsening crisis.
The conflict has also triggered unrest in the capital, Kinshasa, where protesters targeted diplomatic missions, including the embassies of France, Rwanda, and Belgium. The European Union has condemned the attacks, emphasizing the need to respect international diplomatic agreements.
Though some calm is returning to Goma, sporadic gunfire continues to echo through parts of the city, and uncertainty looms over what comes next. With thousands of people displaced and humanitarian conditions deteriorating, international pressure is mounting for urgent action to prevent further suffering and instability in the region.
