Key Takeaways:

• M23 rebels are advancing on Goma, raising fears of a humanitarian disaster.
• Over 400,000 people displaced in 2025, exacerbating Eastern Congo’s ongoing crisis.
• Casualties among peacekeepers include 12 from South Africa and Malawi amidst intense clashes.
• International calls for peace intensify as the UN prepares for emergency meetings.
• Rwanda's potential involvement heightens tensions, with fears of a broader regional conflict.

Panic is building in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the M23 rebel group advances toward Goma, the provincial capital. The situation has deteriorated significantly, with the United Nations reporting that over 400,000 people have been displaced since the start of January due to the escalating violence, which has seen rebels capture key towns such as Sake, located just 27 kilometers from Goma.

Reports indicate that UN peacekeeping forces have sustained multiple casualties, with at least 12 peacekeepers killed in recent clashes, including nine South African and three Malawian soldiers. The UN's presence has been significantly challenged, with heavy bombardments reported as M23 rebels aim to destabilize the city, which is home to over 2 million residents.

The humanitarian situation is dire, with hospitals overflowing with wounded civilians and fears of increased cholera outbreaks in overcrowded displacement sites. Local authorities have described the conditions as one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, with an ongoing struggle for basic resources. “We fear for our lives, since the birth of my children, we have been fleeing the war,” one displaced father lamented.

As the Congolese army struggles to repel the advances of the M23 militants, international response has intensified. The European Union has called for Rwanda to cease support for the rebels, stating that Rwandan military involvement in the DRC is a clear violation of international law. Meanwhile, the situation escalated with increased military activity observed along the Rwandan border, fueling fears of a potential invasion.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the violence, warning of the dire implications for regional stability. The ongoing conflict, which has claimed millions of lives since a multi-shaded conflict erupted in the late 1990s, is now further complicated by geopolitical factors, as neighboring countries show varying levels of involvement and complicity in the conflict.

The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting to address the unfolding crisis, seeking to forge a path towards peace amid escalating hostilities. “The situation facing Goma's civilians is becoming increasingly perilous, and the humanitarian needs are enormous,” warned Human Rights Watch.

As fighting continues, hopes for a resolution remain dim, with past diplomatic efforts failing to yield substantive results. The international community watches closely, aware that the tide of conflict could spill beyond the DRC’s borders if not contained.

• SCMP
• Reuters
• Al Jazeera
• The Guardian