Over the weekend, violence in eastern Congo resulted in the deaths of at least 50 individuals as tensions escalated between government forces and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. This surge in conflict poses a significant challenge to peace negotiations facilitated by Qatar and various African nations amid rising concerns of a broader regional conflict.
Residents of Goma, the region’s largest city under M23 control, reported hearing gunfire and explosions, with local inhabitant Amboma Safari describing how his family sought refuge under their bed during the chaos. They encountered the bodies of soldiers, although it was unclear which faction they belonged to. Meanwhile, in Bukavu, another city controlled by M23, local militias staged a brief display of force against the rebels but later retreated, declaring a ceasefire to provide a window for ongoing peace discussions.
Since the beginning of this conflict, approximately 3,000 lives have been lost, further aggravating one of the world’s most critical humanitarian crises — with around 7 million people now displaced. The Congolese Ministry of Interior has reported that 52 people were killed in violence from Friday to Saturday, with M23 allegedly responsible for an attack at Goma’s Kyeshero Hospital.
In response, M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka accused Congolese forces and their allies of initiating the violence, claiming that joint operations with local militias pose a threat to civilian security. Kanyuka hinted that M23 might need to change its approach to prioritise the safety of local populations, indicating a potential escalation in the conflict.
Christian Kalamo, a civil society leader from North Kivu, confirmed the uncertainty felt by local residents amidst the violence, noting that it was challenging to determine the aggressors, whether they were from the Wazalendo militia, Congolese forces, or the M23. He expressed the community’s anxiety about the future, fearing a resurgence of full-scale war.
The protracted conflict dates back decades but intensified in January with M23’s capture of Goma and subsequently Bukavu in February. The recent violence highlights not just the immediate peril to those involved but also the broader implications for peace efforts in a region long marked by instability.