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Battle of Goma (2025)

Coordinates: 01°40′46″S 29°14′01″E / 1.67944°S 29.23361°E / -1.67944; 29.23361
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Battle of Goma
Part of the M23 offensive (2022–present)
DateJanuary 25, 2025 – present
(3 days)
Location
Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
01°40′46″S 29°14′01″E / 1.67944°S 29.23361°E / -1.67944; 29.23361
Status

Ongoing

  • M23 claims to have captured Goma as of January 27
Belligerents
  • Supported by:
  •  Rwanda (denied)
Commanders and leaders
Corneille Nangaa[1]
(rebel coalition leader)		 Unknown
Units involved
M23 forces
Rwanda Defence Force[2]
Strength
Total unknown
500–1,000 Rwandan soldiers[2]		 Total unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown 13 peacekeepers killed[a]
Democratic Republic of the Congo 126 Congolese soldiers and police surrendered[6]

The Battle of Goma is an ongoing military campaign launched by the March 23 Movement (M23) Congolese rebel group against the regional capital of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The battle is part of the larger M23 offensive in the North and South Kivu provinces of the DRC, which resumed in October 2024 after a pause. During January 2025, the M23 rebel group made a rapid advance in the Kivu region, arriving at the North Kivu provincial capital Goma on January 25.

Rwanda, which is widely reported to be supporting M23 with soldiers and weapons, was as a result ordered to cease all diplomatic and consular activities as well as leave Kinshasa, the DRC's capital, within 48 hours in light of the offensive towards the city. UN sources estimate that there are between 500 and 1,000 Rwandan troops assisting M23 in the Goma area.

Background

[edit]

Goma has a population of around 1 million and is the provincial capital of North Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Rwandan-backed rebel group March 23 Movement (M23), as part of their military offensive which has been ongoing since 2022, seized large amounts of territory in both the North and South Kivu provinces throughout January 2025. The amount of territory being seized and the speed of which it was happening prompted the United Nations (UN) to warn the offensive could lead to a larger regional war. Rwanda officially denies aiding the rebel group with troops and weapons, although intelligence suggests that Rwanda is in fact supporting M23.[7]

On January 21, the provincial governor of the South Kivu providence, Jean-Jacques Purusi, confirmed the capture of the mining towns of Minova, Lumbishi, Numbi, and Shanje in South Kivu, and Bweremana in North Kivu; Minova previously served as a key supply route into Goma.[8] The fighting during January 2025 caused 400,000 people to flee North and South Kivu.[9] M23 began its offensive against Goma on January 23.[10] On January 24, the DRC officially severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda after nine South African peacekeepers were killed during combat with the rebel group and Rwandan snipers killed the military governor of the North Kivu province on the front line. Rwandan officials were demanded to cease all diplomatic and consular activities as well as leave Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, within 48 hours.[7]

Congolese army spokesman General Sylvian Ekenge told the press on January 25 that "Rwanda is determined to seize the city of Goma".[5] As the rebel group approached the city, the Rwandan army amassed troops along its border with the DRC and its senior commanders arrived in Gisenyi, a Rwandan town less than a mile away from the border. Some Rwandan troops crossed onto the Congolese side to assist M23, reportedly intending to capture Goma before the UN Security Council meeting planned for the following day.[11]

Offensive

[edit]

Early in the morning of January 25, M23 advanced on the outskirts of Goma[9] alongside heavy bombardments, but advances were reportedly pushed back by DRC forces.[7] On the outskirts of the city, hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced, especially due to the bombardments.[8] M23 closed the airspace around Goma International Airport.[9] Order in the city itself had reportedly not broken down with a large police presence being the largest chance[clarification needed] since the beginning of the offensive.[7] The Congolese armed forces (FARDC) set up a defensive line in the northern part of the city and the Birere area, including with tanks, and are assisted by Romanian mercenaries and the "Wazalendo" militia.[4] The Congolese army fought off the initial M23 attack on January 25.[11]

By the evening of January 26, the rebels were reported pushed through the Munigi neighborhood 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from the Goma city center. M23 claimed that the city was under their control.[10] Some peacekeepers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the UN were killed in the fighting over the previous days; among the dead were seven South Africans and three Malawians from the SADC mission in the DRC, and two South Africans and one Uruguayan from MONUSCO.[5]

On January 27, M23 claimed the capture of the city. However, fighting seemed to have continued in several parts and "tens of thousands" of people were displaced.[12] The city's jail with 3,000 inmates was "literally torched" and the jailbreak resulted in fatalities.[12] Rebel fighters reached the center of Goma that morning, and a spokesman for the rebel coalition claimed that Congolese army soldiers were surrendering, though the Congolese army did not comment. According to Uruguayan peacekeepers, 100 Congolese soldiers surrendered and handed over their weapons at the MONUSCO base as the rebels had demanded, while 26 Congolese troops and one police officer surrendered to Rwandan border guards near Goma.[6]

The government claimed later that morning that its troops are still holding the Goma International Airport and other key points in the city.[12] The Congolese army and the Rwandan forces on the other side of the border exchanged artillery fire,[13] with Congolese troops on a hill in Goma firing at the Rwandan town of Gisenyi.[6] Looting was reported in Birere, Majengo, and near the airport.[14] As of the evening of January 27, the FARDC and Wazalendo militia still held some parts of the city, according to president of the National Assembly Vital Kamerhe. Combat was still taking place near the airport and in some other areas. Electricity and water in Goma have been shut off since the start of the battle. An emergency meeting of the government was held by President Felix Tshisekedi.[15]

At least 17 people were reported killed during the fighting in Goma, while 367 others were injured.[16] Additionally, five people were killed while 25 others were injured in the neighbouring city of Gisenyi, across the border in Rwanda, in an incident related to the fighting.[17]

Reactions

[edit]

Domestic

[edit]

M23 told all of the FARDC defending the city to lay down their arms and surrender to avoid any bloodshed.[9] Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance that includes M23, claimed on January 27 that their ultimate target is Kinshasa and implied that they want to overthrow the Congolese government.[6]

On January 27, demonstrations took place showing support for the Congolese military and opposition to M23 in Kinshasa[18] and Bukavu, South Kivu.[19]

International

[edit]
  •  DR Congo: The government rejected an offer by Turkey to mediate between it and Rwanda on January 25, with the Congolese vice foreign minister saying that the DRC is "focusing on African solutions to African problems."[20] The government stated on January 27 that its army is "more than determined to defend the homeland at the cost of the supreme sacrifice."[12] It also stated that Rwandan army soldiers are present in Goma.[13] The Congolese government has described M23's attack on Goma as a "declaration of war" by Rwanda.[21] On the same day, DRC president Felix Tshisekedi agreed to attend a peace summit hosted by Kenya.[2]
  •  Rwanda: On January 26, the Rwandan representative to the UN said that the FARDC violated the previous ceasefire agreement and that the presence of foreign mercenaries poses a threat to Rwanda.[12] President Paul Kagame agreed to Kenya's offer to host a summit between him and President Tshisekedi.[2]
  •  United Nations: The UN accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels with troops and weapons.[9] On January 25, non-essential staff stationed in the city began relocating because of the deteriorating military situation on the city's outskirts.[7]
  •  European Union: The EU released a statement on January 25 stating that "Rwanda must cease its support for the M23 and withdraw".[7]
  •  Kenya: The Kenyan government has called for both the DRC and M23 to agree to a ceasefire.[12] The heads of state of both Rwanda and the DRC agreed to attend a peace summit in Kenya's capital at the invitation of President William Ruto.[2]
  •  Turkey: Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered to mediate between the two countries.[20]
  •  France: French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that "France strongly condemns the offensive led by the M23, backed by the Rwandan armed forces, which has led to the death of six peacekeepers and the displacement of several thousands people. Fighting must stop and dialogue resume."[2]
  •  United States: Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the M23 attack and affirmed that the U.S. supports the Congolese sovereignty.[22]
  • France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States have all urged their citizens to leave Goma amid the ongoing battle.[9]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Among the peacekeepers killed included 9 South Africans, 3 Malawians, and 1 Uruguayan.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Congo's ex-election chief turned rebel boss leads insurgency". Reuters.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "DR Congo updates: UN chief urges Rwanda to pull back troops". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "RDC-Goma: tirs sporadiques, un mouvement des troupes des FARDC est visible dans la ville (9H00 locales)" [Democratic Republic of the Congo-Goma: sporadic fire, FARDC troop movement visible in the city (9:00 local hours)]. Actualite.cd (in French). January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "RDC : Goma toujours tenu par les FARDC – Situation 19H00 (heure locale)" [Democratic Republic of the Congo: Goma still held by FARDC – Situation 7 p.m. (local time)]. Actualite.cd (in French). January 25, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "13 peacekeepers killed in eastern DRC, Kinshasa withdraws diplomats from Rwanda". Le Monde. January 25, 2025. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d Bashizi, Arlette; Al-Katanty, Djaffar; Rolley, Sonia (January 27, 2025). "Congo rebels reach centre of eastern city in major escalation". Reuters. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Congo severs ties with Rwanda as eastern conflict escalates". Reuters. January 25, 2025. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  8. ^ a b "M23 rebels seize key eastern DRC town of Minova". Al Jazeera. January 21, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Aikman, Ian; Cursino, Malu (January 26, 2025). "DR Congo rebels close in on key city as 13 peacekeepers killed". BBC. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Congo's M23 rebels say they will seize eastern city overnight". Reuters. January 26, 2026. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  11. ^ a b Townsend, Mark (January 25, 2025). "Rwandan army 'ready to invade DRC' and help rebels seize city". The Guardian. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Cursino, Malu (January 27, 2025). "Rebels say they have taken key DR Congo city as thousands flee". BBC. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  13. ^ a b "DR Congo says Rwanda army in Goma". Deutsche Welle. January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  14. ^ "Patrick Muyaya: "Despite the security situation in Goma linked to the presence of the Rwandan army, the Government is working to prevent any carnage in the face of Rwanda's obvious intentions"" [Patrick Muyaya : « Malgré la situation sécuritaire à Goma liée à la présence de l’armée rwandaise, le Gouvernement œuvre pour prévenir tout carnage face aux intentions manifestes du Rwanda »]. Actualite.cd (in French). January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  15. ^ "RDC: les FARDC et les Wazalendo continuent de tenir quelques positions à Goma (Vital Kamerhe)" [DRC: FARDC and Wazalendo continue to hold some positions in Goma]. Actualite.cd. January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  16. ^ "Fighting In DR Congo City Of Goma Kills 17, Wounds Nearly 370: Hospitals". Barron's. January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  17. ^ "Fighting rages as rebels and army clash in DR Congo". BBC. January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  18. ^ "Des manifestations spontanées à Kinshasa contre l'entrée du M23 à Goma" [Spontaneous demonstrations in Kinshasa against the M23 entrance to Goma]. Radio Okapi (in French). January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  19. ^ "Tirs, crise humanitaire, coupures d'électricité et d'Internet : ce qu'il faut retenir de la situation à Goma ce lundi" [Shooting, humanitarian crisis, power and Internet: what to learn from the situation in Goma on Monday]. Actualite.cd (in French). January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  20. ^ a b "RDC : Kinshasa rejette l'offre de médiation turque dans le conflit avec le Rwanda" [DRC: Kinshasa rejects Turkey's offer of mediation in the conflict with Rwanda]. Actualite.cd (in French). January 25, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  21. ^ "'Declaration of war': M23 rebels claim seizing key DR Congo city of Goma". Al Jazeera. January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  22. ^ "Secretary Rubio's Call with Democratic Republic of the Congo's President Tshisekedi". U.S. Department of State. January 27, 2025.
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