Internally displace people in DRC. Photo | courtesy.
Fierce fighting between the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) military and M23 rebels has left at least 773 people dead and nearly 2,900 wounded, officials said, as violence escalates in the country’s eastern region.
The clashes erupted in late January near Goma, a key city in eastern DRC, as the Congolese army attempted to push back the rebel group. M23, an armed movement with alleged backing from Rwanda, seized control of Goma on January 26, cutting off vital supply routes and worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Civilians Caught in Crossfire
The ongoing violence has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes, with many seeking refuge in overcrowded camps. Residents in Goma report severe shortages of food, water, and medical aid as the fighting disrupts trade and humanitarian efforts.
“The situation is dire. We have nothing left, and people are starving,” one displaced resident told Al Jazeera.
The United Nations has condemned the violence citing reports of human rights violations, including summary executions and sexual violence. The UN peacekeeping mission in DRC, MONUSCO, has called for an immediate ceasefire.
International Response
Amid the crisis, the Congolese government has accused Rwanda of backing M23, a claim Rwanda has repeatedly denied. In response, DRC’s Foreign Minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, urged European football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain to end their sponsorship deals with Rwanda’s tourism campaign, “Visit Rwanda.”
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with calls for urgent diplomatic intervention to prevent further bloodshed. Meanwhile, the Congolese military continues its offensive to reclaim lost territory.
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This comes even as M23 rebels have vowed to march to DR Congo capital Kinshasa, a move that could see more people die as the war is likely to escalate further.
