Violent clashes shook Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, as pro-government forces and M23 rebels exchanged fire into early Saturday.
Residents described a night filled with gunfire and explosions, marking the worst violence in the city since rebels seized it in January.
“We were sleeping when we heard several shots from different weapons, like rocket launchers,” one resident told Reuters.
By daylight, witnesses reported seeing injured and dead fighters on the streets, believed to be members of the M23 rebel group.
A government statement late Saturday blamed M23 for the violence and reported 52 deaths in and around Goma, though this toll remains unverified.
M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma claimed “calm reigns” in Goma, accusing Congo’s military and allied militias of provocation.
Wazalendo, a pro-government militia, said the clashes were retaliation for earlier rebel attacks, a claim echoed by the Congolese army.
However, both Wazalendo and a senior army general pointed fingers at each other for igniting the confrontation.
M23, largely composed of ethnic Tutsis, is widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, despite Kigali’s repeated denials of support.
Rwanda insists its military presence is defensive, aimed at protecting its borders from hostile armed groups in eastern Congo.
Amid mounting tensions, both sides have sent delegations to Qatar for potential ceasefire talks mediated by Doha.
The M23’s swift offensive in recent months has displaced hundreds of thousands and claimed thousands of lives.
The rebels now control vast mineral-rich borderlands, deepening a crisis that has gripped the heart of central Africa.
