The United Nations has expressed deep concern over reports of M23 rebels and Rwandan troops advancing south towards Bukavu, as the insurgents tighten their grip on the strategic eastern Congolese city of Goma.
The ongoing offensive marks the most significant escalation of conflict in the region since 2012, with fears growing of another large-scale war. A successful push into South Kivu province would give the rebels control over territories not held by previous insurgencies since the end of the devastating Congo Wars (1996-2003), which claimed millions of civilian lives.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric warned that the absence of UN peacekeepers in South Kivu increases the humanitarian and security risks. He also cited reports of Rwandan troops crossing into South Kivu, although Rwanda has not responded to these claims.
The crisis has drawn in regional powers, with Burundi supporting Congolese troops in South Kivu. This raises fears of a wider conflict, as tensions between Rwanda and Burundi remain high.
Rwanda insists it is acting in self-defense, accusing Congo’s army of collaborating with Hutu militias that threaten Rwanda’s security. This echoes the deep-rooted tensions stemming from the 1994 Rwandan genocide, after which many Hutu militants fled into Congo.
Congo, however, dismisses these claims, accusing Rwanda of using M23 as a proxy to exploit its mineral-rich territories. UN reports have previously documented large-scale mineral smuggling through Rwanda.
Advancing along Lake Kivu, M23 rebels faced resistance from Congolese forces near Nyabibwe, about 50 km from Bukavu. Clashes continued in Kahalala, where sources reported intense fighting.
Meanwhile, in Goma, M23 rebels have begun establishing control. Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance rebel coalition, urged residents to return to normal activities, though the city remained tense with streets littered with debris and abandoned military gear.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 2,000 people have been wounded in the fighting, with at least 45 deaths recorded. Displacement camps around Goma, previously home to around 800,000 people, are rapidly emptying as civilians flee further south.
International pressure on Rwanda has mounted, with Germany suspending aid talks and Britain threatening to withhold $40 million in bilateral assistance. However, these actions have not slowed the rebel advance.
Amid ongoing regional diplomacy, both Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame made strong statements. Tshisekedi vowed that the Congolese army would reclaim "every inch" of territory, while Kagame accused South African forces in Congo of working with militias linked to the 1994 genocide.
“If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day,” Kagame warned, escalating tensions further.
As the fighting intensifies and diplomatic efforts falter, fears grow that the crisis could spiral into a full-scale regional war, further destabilizing the Great Lakes region.