Deadly Clashes in Eastern DRC Ignite Emergency UN Meeting Amid M23 Rebel Advance

The escalating crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has prompted an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, following Kinshasa’s withdrawal of diplomats from Kigali The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, who are advancing on the strategic city of Goma.
Since 2021, the M23 group has captured vast territories in the resource-rich eastern DRC, displacing thousands of residents and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. The group’s recent push towards Goma city of over one million people comes after the collapse of peace negotiations between the DRC and Rwanda in December.
The violence has taken a heavy toll on international peacekeeping forces. On Saturday, 13 UN and Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeepers lost their lives in the fighting. The casualties include nine South Africans, three Malawians, and one Uruguayan, according to official reports.
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), which maintains approximately 15,000 peacekeepers in the region, confirmed its troops are engaged in intense battles against M23 positions.
General Sylvain Ekenge, spokesperson for the Congolese army, stated that the military is actively working to repel the rebels. He accused Rwanda of aiming to seize control of Goma, further heightening tensions between the two nations.
The African Union and Angolan President João Lourenço, who is mediating the conflict, have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. They condemned what they described as “irresponsible actions by the M23 and its backers,” warning that such behavior threatens the stability of the entire region.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the crisis and prevent further loss of life and displacement in the already vulnerable eastern DRC.