Rising Concerns Over M23 Armed Group's Threat to Goma
The United Nations has sounded the alarm over the looming threat of an attack on Goma, the capital of North Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), by the M23 armed group. “We are deeply alarmed at the heightened risk of an attack on Goma,” stated Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR). “Such an assault could have catastrophic consequences for hundreds of thousands of civilians, exposing them to heightened risks of human rights violations and abuses.”
Ms. Shamdasani further highlighted the horrific role sexual violence plays in this conflict, describing it as a key and devastating element. “Armed groups abduct, detain, and subject women and girls to sexual slavery, with many victims murdered after being raped,” she added.
Persistent Conflict in North Kivu
Since the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers from South Kivu in June 2024, the UN Mission in Congo (MONUSCO) has focused on defending key locations in North Kivu, including Goma and Sake. These areas continue to witness fierce clashes between M23 fighters, the Congolese Armed Forces, and other armed groups.
Displacement on an Alarming Scale
The humanitarian toll has been staggering. Since the beginning of 2025, approximately 400,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in North and South Kivu, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
UNHCR spokesperson Matt Saltmarsh revealed that violence has targeted displacement camps, leading to chilling attacks. For instance:
– On January 20, explosions at the Kitalaga camp in South Kivu claimed the lives of two children.
– On January 21, five makeshift shelters were destroyed in Nzuolo near Goma.
– Similarly, on January 24, the Bushagara displacement site near Goma came under heavy bombardment, causing panic and new waves of displacement.
Civilians forced to flee displacement sites on the outskirts of Goma have sought refuge within the city itself. “Access to these vulnerable people remains extremely challenging,” Saltmarsh explained, noting that UNHCR staff are doing their best to assist those affected despite significant obstacles.
Guterres Expresses Alarm
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed grave concern over M23’s renewed offensive and its “devastating toll” on civilians. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, he noted M23’s reported seizure of Sake in South Kivu, which “increases the threat to Goma” and raises fears of a potential regional conflict.
Guterres echoed calls for the M23 rebels to cease their offensive immediately, withdraw from occupied areas, and abide by the ceasefire agreement signed in July 2024. While Rwanda has been accused of backing the M23 group, Kigali denies any involvement.
OHCHR spokesperson Shamdasani emphasized the need for external actors to press for an immediate cessation of hostilities, echoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s call to end any foreign support for armed groups in the region. “The people of the DRC are exhausted by conflict and violence,” she stressed. “This crisis must not be allowed to worsen further.”
The Dire Situation in Displacement Camps
The living conditions in displacement camps are grim. UNHCR’s Saltmarsh described the “stark and extremely limited” options for those seeking refuge. Access to aid is largely dependent on whether humanitarian agencies can reach displacement sites – areas often overrun by armed groups.
“If we can access the camps, we provide minimal assistance. But for civilians in areas controlled by armed groups, we have no visibility into their conditions,” Saltmarsh said. The DRC’s South and North Kivu regions already host 4.6 million internally displaced people, many of whom face escalating threats of violence, including looting, kidnappings, arbitrary arrests, and worse.
Camps are overcrowded, leaving vulnerable populations, including women, children, and the elderly, without proper food, shelter, or essential services. “Hospitals are nearing capacity with injured civilians,” Saltmarsh reported. “Conditions are dire, and the humanitarian response is struggling to keep pace with the scale of the crisis.”
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This humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC continues to unfold largely unnoticed by the global community, underscoring the urgent need for international attention and action to protect the lives of those caught in the crossfire.
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