• Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have captured Goma, leading to a significant escalation in violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
• The UN reports over 700 fatalities and 2,800 injuries in the ongoing conflict, highlighting its humanitarian toll.
• The DRC government accused Rwanda of illegal occupation as M23 continues to advance south toward Bukavu.

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (AP) — The situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has rapidly deteriorated as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized control of Goma, the largest city in the region, prompting grave international and humanitarian concerns. On January 30, the M23 declared their determination to "stay" in Goma, raising fears of further territorial expansion and potential conflict extending to the capital, Kinshasa, located approximately 2,600 km away.

The escalation has proven deadly; according to the United Nations, at least 700 people were reported killed, with over 2,800 others injured in just a few days of fighting. This intense violence underscores the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the conflict, with over 400,000 individuals displaced since the start of 2025. Civilians in Goma are now suffering from severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies, as humanitarian access is drastically restricted.

The DRC government regards the M23 as a puppet of neighboring Rwanda and accuses President Paul Kagame of orchestrating a campaign to destabilize the country. In response to the takeover, President Félix Tshisekedi has called for a "vigorous and coordinated response," urging young people to enlist in the military to combat the M23 rebels.

The international community's response has been mixed. While the UN and various countries, including the United States, have condemned Rwanda's involvement, tangible measures to curtail aid or support to the Rwandan government have yet to materialize. Recent discussions among regional leaders in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) have emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions and a commitment to support the DRC's sovereignty.

Moreover, Rwanda has denied accusations of illegal occupation and claimed that its military presence is necessary to prevent the conflict from spilling over into its territory. Kagame has defended his actions by stressing the need to protect ethnic Tutsi populations and accusing the DRC's army of collaborating with Hutu militias, whom Rwanda views as a threat due to their historical ties to the 1994 genocide.

The escalation of violence has also drawn attention to the potential of a wider regional conflict reminiscent of the two Congo wars in the late 1990s, which involved multiple African nations and resulted in millions of deaths. Analysts fear that unless there is international pressure exerted upon Rwanda, the cycle of conflict could continue to devastate eastern DRC.

Civilian resistance is reportedly growing, with many in Bukavu, the next target of the M23's advance, rallying to defend their city. Volunteers have begun preparing for conflict, chanting slogans of resistance as the humanitarian situation becomes increasingly dire.

The complexities of the DRC's conflict are rooted in a tangled history of ethnic rivalries, international politics, and resource exploitation. Rwanda's involvement in supporting the M23 may actually hinge on the quest for mineral wealth in eastern Congo, a region rich in valuable resources such as gold and coltan.

The world watches anxiously as the situation develops, hoping for diplomatic solutions to avert further bloodshed.