Wed Jan 29 15:47:13 UTC 2025: ## M23 Rebels Seize Goma, DRC President Skips Crisis Summit Amidst Humanitarian Crisis

**Goma, DRC/Nairobi, Kenya –** The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is engulfed in a deepening humanitarian crisis following the seizure of Goma, the region’s largest city, by the M23 rebel group. Three days of intense fighting between M23 and the Congolese army left over 100 dead and nearly 1,000 wounded. While fighting has largely subsided in the city center, sporadic gunfire continues in outlying areas, leaving the situation tense.

M23, a group accused by the DRC and the UN of being backed by Rwanda (a claim Rwanda denies), claimed control of Goma on Monday, seizing the airport and much of the city. Bertrand Bisimwa, head of M23’s political wing, stated the group is working to secure the city, but Rwanda’s regional ambassador, Vincent Karega, indicated the offensive may extend to South Kivu province. Multiple sources report M23’s advance southward towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.

The crisis has triggered a major humanitarian emergency. The UN warns of potential mass displacement, food shortages, and disease outbreaks. Aid groups like Doctors Without Borders (MSF) report widespread looting of medical supplies and injuries to their staff. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is overwhelmed with calls from injured civilians and urges safe humanitarian access. The World Food Programme (WFP) warns of potential food supply disruptions.

Despite Kenya’s announcement of a virtual crisis summit, Congolese state media confirmed that President Felix Tshisekedi will not attend. He is expected to address the nation instead. The summit was meant to involve Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who, in a conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, acknowledged the need for a ceasefire. The US and other nations have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and the UN continues to urge Rwanda to halt support for M23.

The International Crisis Group (ICG) warns that the conflict could escalate into a wider regional crisis, mirroring the devastating wars of the late 1990s and early 2000s. They propose a compromise involving M23 withdrawal and the deployment of an alternative African force to oversee Goma during negotiations. The situation in Goma remains precarious, with thousands fleeing to neighboring Rwanda, electricity and internet access disrupted, and the future uncertain for the city’s residents.

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