Congo Rebels Supported by Rwanda Meet Resistance Following Their Advance into Goma

M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, faced significant resistance from both the Congolese army and pro-government militias after advancing into Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo. This escalation marks the latest chapter in an ongoing conflict that has been destabilizing the region for over a decade.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, multiple residents in Goma reported hearing the sounds of gunfire and explosions, particularly in neighborhoods near the airport. According to sources, the airport remains under the control of both United Nations peacekeepers and Congolese government forces. The situation has prompted concern among international leaders, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaking to Rwandan President Paul Kagame about the rising tensions. This conversation came after the recent deaths of nine South African peacekeepers in the region, who were caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict. Ramaphosa and Kagame agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire to prevent further escalation.

“We had a brief period of calm last night, but gunfire resumed around midnight,” an elderly woman from Goma’s northern Majengo neighborhood, close to the airport, told Reuters. “I’ve been hearing the sound of gunfire all through the night, coming from the direction of the airport,” she said. Another resident from Majengo corroborated this, reporting gunfire throughout the night and into the morning. “I am hiding on the ground with my family,” they shared, underscoring the fear and uncertainty gripping the population.

Goma, home to nearly two million people, serves as a critical humanitarian hub for the region and is vital for the trade of minerals such as tantalum and tin, which are essential in the production of electronics. The M23, which is one of several insurgent groups supported by Rwanda and operating in the eastern part of the country, resumed hostilities in 2022, a decade after a previous rebellion had been quelled. Recently, M23 has made significant territorial gains in North Kivu province, which borders Rwanda, and is now on the verge of taking control of Goma, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee the city in search of safety.

Despite widespread international calls for the group to halt its offensive, M23 has continued to push forward, showing no signs of backing down. Rwanda, which has long been accused of providing support to these insurgent groups, has denied its direct involvement in the fighting, insisting that its actions are driven by national security concerns. The Rwandan government argues that the presence of armed groups on the Congolese side of the border poses a threat to its safety, justifying its support for the M23 rebels.

South Africa has been deeply involved in peacekeeping efforts in the region, both through the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). As a result, South African troops have borne the brunt of casualties, with the deaths of the nine peacekeepers underscoring the dangers faced by those attempting to maintain stability in the area. Critics of the South African government have raised concerns that its forces may not be adequately equipped for the complexities of the conflict, and that more needs to be done to ensure the safety of peacekeepers operating in such volatile conditions.

In response to the growing crisis, South Africa’s presidency issued a statement following the conversation between Presidents Ramaphosa and Kagame. While the statement did not directly mention the deaths of peacekeepers, it emphasized the importance of an immediate ceasefire and the need for all parties involved in the conflict to return to peace negotiations. Both leaders called for a swift de-escalation of the violence and the resumption of dialogue between the Congolese government, the M23 rebels, and other stakeholders in the region.

The situation in Goma remains tense, and the threat of further violence continues to loom over the city and its inhabitants. The international community is watching closely, urging both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to prioritize peace and stability in the region to prevent further suffering and displacement. As the conflict rages on, it remains uncertain how the situation will unfold, and whether a lasting resolution can be reached in one of Africa’s most protracted and complex conflicts.