- Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 is battling Congolese government forces in Congo’s main city of Goma, prompting the evacuation of the international airport.
- M23 is one of about 100 armed groups fighting for control in the mineral-rich region, where a long-running conflict has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the M23 to immediately cease all hostile actions and withdraw its forces, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
The international airport in Goma was evacuated and temporarily grounded on Sunday as fighting between Rwanda-backed rebels and government forces hit around eastern Congo’s key city, causing at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign troops were left dead and thousands of civilians displaced.
The M23 rebel group has made significant territorial gains along the border with Rwanda in recent weeks, closing in on Goma, the provincial capital which has a population of about 2 million and is a regional hub for security and humanitarian efforts.
Goma’s international airport, east of the city, was evacuated by military and commercial flights were temporarily grounded because of the fighting, an airport agent told The Associated Press. The agent spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
Israel tells UN it is closing all UNRWA operations in Jerusalem: ‘acute security risk’
The United Nations on Sunday told its staff not to go to the airport and to shelter in place, according to an internal email seen by the AP.
Congo, the United States and UN experts accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, which is composed mainly of ethnic Tutsis who defected from the Congolese army more than a decade ago. It is one of about 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in the mineral-rich region, where a long-running conflict has created one of the world’s biggest humanitarian crises.
Rwanda’s government denies supporting the rebels, but acknowledged last year that it did so, pointing to a buildup of Congolese forces near the border to protect the security of troops and missile systems in eastern Congo. UN experts estimate that there are more than 4,000 Rwandan forces in Congo.
Members of the United Nations Organization for Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) ride on a pickup truck as they secure the evacuation of non-essential United Nations staff, following fighting between M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Congo in North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, after January 25, 2025. (Reuters/Arlette Bashizi TPX Image of the Day)
The Congolese Foreign Ministry said late Saturday it was severing diplomatic relations with Rwanda and expelling all diplomatic staff from the country “with immediate effect.”
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungere told the AP on Sunday that the decision to cut ties was a unilateral move by Congo “which was even published on social media before it was sent to our embassy.”
“For us, we took appropriate measures to evacuate our remaining diplomat in Kinshasa, who was under permanent threat by the Congolese authorities. And this was received on Friday, a day before the publication of this so-called note verbale on social media ,” he said. ” Said.
Over the past 48 hours, two UN peacekeepers from South Africa and one from Uruguay were killed, and 11 peacekeepers were injured and hospitalised, a spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday, calling for an emergency UN Security Council meeting. Said before the meeting.
The UN chief reiterated his “strongest condemnation” of the M23 offensive “with the support of the Rwanda Defense Forces”, and called on the rebel group to immediately cease all hostile actions and withdraw its forces, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
On Sunday morning, heavy gunfire echoed across Goma, just a few miles from the front line. Scores of displaced children and adults fled Goma, the largest in eastern Congo, near the Rwandan border, and headed south.
“We are running because we saw soldiers throwing bombs and shooting on the border with Rwanda,” said Safi Shangwe, who was heading to Goma.
“We are tired and we are afraid, our children are at risk of going hungry,” she said.
Internally displaced civilians carry their belongings from camps in Munizi and Kibati as they flee after fighting between M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, January 26, 2025. To. (Reuters/Aubin Mukoni)
Some of those displaced will not be safe even in Goma.
“We are going to Goma, but I heard there are bombs in Goma too, so now we don’t know where to go,” Adel Shimi said.
Hundreds of people attempted to flee to Rwanda on Sunday through the “Great Barrier” border crossing east of Goma. Migration officers carefully checked travel documents.
“I’m crossing from the other side to see if we will have a place to shelter because at the moment, security is not guaranteed in the city,” Goma resident Muhadi Amani told the AP.
Earlier in the week, rebels had seized Sake, 16 miles from Goma, as there were concerns the city could soon fall.
Click here to get the Fox News app
Congo’s army said Saturday it was carrying out an M23 offensive with the help of allied forces, including U.N. troops and troops from the Southern African Development Community mission, also known as SAMIDRC.
The South African Defense Ministry said that seven South African soldiers were killed along with Samidirak, in addition to two South African peacekeepers.
Since 2021, the Congolese government and allied forces, including Samidrak and UN troops, have kept the M23 away from Goma. The UN peacekeeping force entered Congo more than two decades ago and has about 14,000 peacekeepers on the ground.
