Following a lightning onslaught, the rebel forces of M23 movement allegedly backed by Rwanda took control of nearly the whole city of Goma, a vital hub for the trade of minerals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in late January 2025.

Escalating Situation in Eastern DR Congo: Photos From Conflict-Torn North Kivu Province

15:55, 29 January 2025

Elizaveta Roschina

Writer/Editor

All materials

On Sunday, a rebel alliance, including the M23 movement, said it had seized North Kivu province's capital Goma, the largest city in the eastern DRC. The rebels' actions drew widespread public condemnation from the parties within the national political process and foreign countries and international blocs.

Sputnik

The M23 rebels seized Goma's international airport in the North Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), spokesman for UN secretary-general Stephane Dujarric, told reporters on Tuesday.

"Currently, M23 forces control the airport and there are real risks of breakdown of law and order in the city," the spokesman said, emphasizing that the main supply route for hundreds of thousands of displaced people is in jeopardy.

Armed clashes continue in surrounding regions, Masisi, Rutshuru, and Nyiragongo, which further displaces civilians and complicates the UN's humanitarian efforts, the spokesman noted.

On Sunday, Kenyan President William Ruto announced that the East African Community (EAC) would convene on Wednesday for an extraordinary summit on the DRC-Rwanda crisis, where Rwandan President Paul Kagame would meet DRC President Felix Tshisekedi.

However, the presidency of the DRC said on Tuesday that Tshisekedi would not attend the meeting with his Rwandan counterpart.

"President Felix Tshisekedi is closely monitoring developments in the east of the country. However, he is not planning to attend the meeting convened by President William Ruto," local media quoted deputy spokesperson of the DRC presidency Giscard Kusema as saying.

On Tuesday, the DRC capital Kinshasa saw a series of demonstrations in front of the embassies of several countries, including the US, France, Belgium and Rwanda. Demonstrators protesting against Rwanda's alleged support for the M23 militia looted the embassies and caused significant damage.

At least 100 people were reportedly killed and around 1,000 injured in the violent fighting in Goma. Hospitals in the city are overwhelmed and struggling to cope with the influx of the wounded, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

Take a look at Sputnik's photo gallery showing the consequences of the escalating fighting in the eastern DRC.

1 / 8

People displaced by the fighting with M23 rebels make their way to the center of Goma, Sunday, January 26, 2025.

2 / 8

Smoke rises over Goma on Monday, January 27, 2025, as M23 rebels make their way to the center of the town.

3 / 8

A Congolese woman stands by her 10-year-old daughter, who was wounded in the fighting between M23 rebels and Congolese armed forces, in Goma, Thursday, January 23, 2025.

4 / 8

DRC soldiers who had fled the North Kivu province due to clashes in Goma and crossed into Rwanda through the Corniche border crossing. They surrendered to Rwandan troops in Kigali on January 27, 2025.

5 / 8

A UN armored personnel carrier burns during clashes with M23 rebels outside Goma in the DRC's North Kivu province, Saturday, January 25, 2025.

6 / 8

Congolese children watch the deployment of government and UN troops outside Goma, Friday, January 24, 2025, as M23 rebels reportedly close in on the city.

7 / 8

Congolese government troops deploy outside Goma, Friday, January 24, 2025, as M23 rebels advance toward the city.

8 / 8

Congolese civilians displaced by fighting with M23 rebels head towards the center of Goma, Sunday, January 26, 2025.