- Rebels claim control of DR Congo City – thousands flee
- M23 fighters patrolling Goma’s streets after hours of intense gunfire
- Escalating tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda
- Kenya has called for immediate ceasefire and announced an emergency regional summit
Rebels Claim Control of DR Congo City as Thousands Flee
The M23 rebel group says it has seized control of Goma, a major city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The announcement follows a rapid advance against Congolese forces on Sunday, which forced tens of thousands of people to flee nearby towns.
Videos shared by residents show M23 fighters patrolling Goma’s streets after hours of intense gunfire and explosions. The city, home to over a million people, is now reportedly quiet, according to local media.
The takeover comes amid escalating tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda. Congo’s foreign minister has accused Rwanda of sending troops across the border to support the rebels, calling it an act of war. Rwanda, however, claims Congo backs militias seeking to overthrow its government.
In response to the crisis, Kenya has called for an immediate ceasefire and announced an emergency regional summit. The presidents of both DR Congo and Rwanda are expected to attend within the next two days. Kenyan President William Ruto, who chairs the East African Community, emphasised the need for regional leaders to help broker peace.
The M23 group has controlled large parts of eastern DR Congo, a mineral-rich region, since 2021. In recent weeks, the rebels have advanced rapidly toward Goma, intensifying clashes with government forces.
The conflict has displaced over 400,000 people in North and South Kivu provinces since the start of 2025, according to the UN refugee agency. The situation remains volatile, with fears of further humanitarian and political fallout.