President Félix Tshisekedi has abruptly ended his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as a worsening conflict with the M23 rebel group threatens the stability of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Clashes in North Kivu province have escalated since the start of the year, with the UN reporting over 400,000 people displaced as the rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, push closer to Goma, the provincial capital and a city of over one million people.
M23 Advances Raise Alarms
The M23 rebel group has captured key towns, including Masisi, Minova, and, most recently, Sake, located just 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Goma, according to various reports. Although the Congolese military claims to have repelled the attack on Sake, thousands of residents have fled, many for a second or third time, as the conflict upends lives.
Images from the region show desperate families carrying mattresses and essential belongings, while some crowd into overcrowded wooden boats to escape the fighting.
The fall of Goma, previously occupied by the M23 during a 2012 rebellion, would mark a significant setback for the Congolese government and could destabilize the entire region.
Mineral Wealth at Stake
Since 2021, the M23 has expanded its control over the mineral-rich territories of eastern DRC. Despite a temporary lull in July last year, fighting intensified in October and worsened in recent weeks.
The Congolese government and the United Nations accuse Rwanda of supporting the rebels, a claim Kigali has not publicly addressed.
Calls for Peace
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed grave concern, warning that the conflict could spiral into a broader regional war. He urged all parties to “respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo” and cease supporting armed groups.
As the situation escalates, President Tshisekedi has returned home to lead emergency security discussions, signaling the gravity of the crisis.
Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The ongoing violence has exacerbated the humanitarian situation, leaving hundreds of thousands displaced and reliant on aid. For many fleeing the conflict, this is a grim return to a cycle of displacement that has plagued the region for years.
With the rebels advancing and international calls for calm growing louder, the future of Goma and the broader region remains uncertain.
