Paul Kagame

The M23 rebel group has declared the key city of Goma under its control, signalling a major blow to the Congolese army and a serious escalation in the years-long conflict that has seen hundreds of people killed and millions displaced in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

However, there were conflicting accounts about how much of Goma remained under Congolese control as M23 rebels faced pockets of resistance from army and pro-government militia overnight into Tuesday..

Who are the M23 rebels and who backs them?

• The DRC government and the UN accuse Rwanda under President Paul Kagame of supporting M23 with soldiers and weapons in a bid to control the mineral-rich eastern DRC. Rwanda denies the charge and accuses the DRC of harbouring members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, an anti-Kagame rebel group that was involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The UN estimates there are up to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers in the DRC..
• However, the DRC faced a resurgence of M23 violence in 2022. The group has since advanced on Goma, seizing territory in battles with the Congolese army and two peacekeeping missions: the UN mission to the DRC (MONUSCO) and the South African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the DRC. South African troops, as part of the UN mission, were crucial in the 2013 defeat of M23.
• At a UN Security Council emergency meeting on Sunday, officials condemned the M23 advance and confirmed that 13 peacekeepers were killed from Friday to Saturday. South Africa said nine of its soldiers were killed trying to fend off M23’s advance on Goma while the UN said three Malawian soldiers and one Uruguayan were also killed..
• Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya, in a statement posted on X on Monday, announced the presence of the Rwandan army in Goma..
• The government continues to work to avoid carnage and loss of human life in view of the manifest intentions of Rwanda,” he said, telling residents to stay home and refrain from carrying out vandalism and looting..

The United Nations

Rwanda’s UN ambassador, Ernest Rwamucyo, did not confirm or deny the DRC’s claims at the meeting but said the DRC could have averted the crisis if it had “demonstrated a genuine commitment to peace”.

KENYA & SOUTH AFRICA

• Kenyan President William Ruto – chairman of the Eastern African Countries (EAC) regional bloc, to which the DRC and Rwanda belong – called for an emergency meeting of EAC leaders on Tuesday or Wednesday, saying the region had a “critical responsibility in de-escalating violence and facilitating dialogue” between all sides.
• Separately, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called Kagame to discuss the recent escalation. “The two heads of state have agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks by all parties to the conflict.