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 Asks Chad for Military Assistance in Fight Against M23 Rebels, Media Reports

12:00, 19 February 2025

Ekaterina Shilova

Writer / Editor

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Since January, M23 rebels have captured significant territories in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu. The DRC authorities accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, which Kigali denies.

Sputnik

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) requested "military assistance in any form" from Chad to help them defend against the M23 rebels during the meeting between Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno and Didier Masenga, a special envoy of the DRC sent by President Felix Tshisekedi.

According to the media, Chad has a relatively powerful and experienced army, capable of providing important military assistance to the DRC. Chad has already been involved in many peacekeeping operations in Africa, including in the Sahel region.

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There has been no official statement from N'Djamena yet following the talks with the Congolese delegation.