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.

DRC Army Regains Control of Capital of South Kivu, Presidency Says

10:45, 16 February 2025

Ekaterina Shilova

Writer / Editor

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Earlier, on Friday, M23 rebels entered Bukavu, the second-largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sputnik

The army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, supported by pro-government militias from Wazalendo, regained control of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, as announced during a meeting on the security situation on Saturday.

M23 Rebels Offensive in DR Congo (2025)

Uganda’s Military Chief Threatens Attack on Congolese City of Bunia Amid Ongoing Conflict

15 February, 16:30

The city had been "invaded for a short time" by the M23 rebel group on February 14, the presidency specified.

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