DRC Congo

2025 - 1 - 27

Goma Goes Gloomy: Rebels Turn the City into Their Playground!

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The M23 rebels are on a roll, claiming Goma while the UN struggles to pick up the pieces!

In an alarming escalation of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the M23 rebels have boldly claimed control of the eastern city of Goma. Residents were taken by surprise as the rebels swiftly advanced against the Congolese army, taking to the main streets with videos circulating on social media showcasing their newfound authority. With a sense of disbelief, locals grappled with the stark reality that their city was now under the rule of armed groups, prompting some to reinforce calls for humanitarian intervention amid rising chaos.

United Nations officials convened an emergency Security Council meeting in response to the turmoil shaking the eEastern DRC. The session was propelled by the urgent need to address the spiraling violence and horrific killings that have marked the region. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres didn't mince his words, stressing the need for Rwandan forces – allegedly supporting the M23 rebels – to withdraw immediately and cease their operations that have exacerbated the conflict. The appeal for peace comes as the humanitarian situation in the area deteriorates rapidly, leading many to wonder just how far the international community will go to stabilize the situation.

The M23's announcement came right before a self-imposed 48-hour deadline for the Congolese army to surrender, indicating a strategic approach to powerful territorial gains. Reports of deadly clashes leading to the loss of 13 soldiers in peacekeeping forces, while gripping the attention of the international media, underscores the serious implications of the escalating violence. As the world watches, the cries for help from the Congolese people grow louder, hoping to stir some action from global leaders.

As the dust settles – or in this case, swirls – in Goma, it becomes clear that both immediate and long-term solutions are desperately needed. The broader implications of this unrest stretch beyond borders, posing regional dilemmas that could affect many neighboring countries. Interestingly enough, while headlines echo tragedy, they also remind us of the resilience and bravery of the local population, who must confront such stark realities head-on before they can reclaim their streets and rewrite their stories altogether!

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

DR Congo: Rebels say they have taken eastern city of Goma (BBC News)

Residents shared videos of M23 rebels patrolling Goma's main streets following a lightning advance against the Congolese army on Sunday that saw tens of ...

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Image courtesy of "UN News"

DR CONGO CRISIS: Updates as top UN official tells emergency ... (UN News)

Spiralling violence and killings in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo triggered an emergency Security Council meeting Sunday morning amid ...

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

UN chief urges Rwandan forces to withdraw from DR Congo (FRANCE 24)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Rwandan troops to exit the Democratic Republic of Congo and cease aiding M23 rebels nearing Goma.

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

Rwanda-backed rebels in DRC say they have taken control of Goma (Voice of America)

The M23 rebels announced the city's capture in a statement minutes before a 48-hour deadline imposed by the group for the Congolese army to surrender their ...

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Image courtesy of "Sky News"

Rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo say they have taken key ... (Sky News)

It comes after 13 soldiers serving with peacekeeping forces in the DRC were killed in clashes with the rebels, United Nations officials said. Congolese rebels ...

Statement on escalation of violence in Eastern Democratic Republic ... (Canada.ca)

January 25, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, ...

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Image courtesy of "OCHA"

“Scale of suffering in DR Congo demands urgent attention,” UN ... (OCHA)

Briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General fo.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

'Declaration of war': M23 rebels claim to have captured key DR ... (Aljazeera.com)

Witnesses say they saw rebels enter the centre of the eastern city amid gunfire, as UN calls for an end to offensive.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

DR Congo conflict: M23 rebels say they have taken Goma (BBC News)

Residents shared videos of M23 rebels patrolling Goma's main streets following a lightning advance against the Congolese army on Sunday that saw tens of ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

DRC conflict: M23 rebels enter Goma after claiming capture of city ... (The Guardian)

Rwanda-backed rebels have captured largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as United Nations reports 'mass panic'

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Image courtesy of "Sky News"

What is the fighting in Democratic Republic of Congo about - and is ... (Sky News)

Rebels claim to have captured the key city of Goma in the DRC, as the decades-long conflict becomes even more volatile. Sky News takes a look at what's ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

DR Congo conflict: What is the fighting in Goma about? (BBC News)

The mineral-rich east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been dogged by conflict for more than 30 years, since the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Briefing Security Council on Worsening Situation in Democratic ... (UN News)

Holding an emergency meeting following advances by the 23 March Movement, or M23, towards the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and ...

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Gunfire heard in DR Congo's Goma as M23 rebels, Rwandan troops ... (FRANCE 24)

Gunfire rang out across Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday, as M23 rebels and Rwandan forces were reportedly spotted throughout the city ...

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

Civilians at increased risk as M23 rebels capture DRC's Goma ... (Voice of America)

Fighting between M23 and Democratic Republic of the Congo forces has displaced 400000 since the start of this year, according to the United Nations.

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Image courtesy of "Doctors Without Borders"

What to know about the intensified conflict in DR Congo (Doctors Without Borders)

January 27, 2025—As armed clashes rage in Goma, MSF teams at Kyeshero Hospital are receiving injured people referred by the International Committee of the ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Who are the M23 rebels and why is there fighting in eastern DRC? (The Guardian)

The militia has made new territorial gains in a country that has one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

Emergency ministerial meeting on the current escalation of the ... (Amani Africa)

Tomorrow (28 January), the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council will convene an emergency ministerial level session on the conflict in Eastern ...

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Image courtesy of "UN News"

DR Congo: Battle for Goma continues as 'volatile' crisis unfolds (UN News)

As fighting intensifies between the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group and Congolese forces, UN chief of Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix underscored the ...

Secretary Rubio's Call with Democratic Republic of the Congo ... (Department of State)

Secretary Rubio and President Tshisekedi agreed on the importance of advancing the Luanda Process and Angolan President João Lourenço's efforts to restart talks ...

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

US condemns Rwanda-backed rebels' assault in eastern DRC (Voice of America)

The United States added to condemnation of Rwandan-backed rebels who claimed to capture an important provincial capital in the Democratic Republic of Congo, ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

At least 17 people killed as fighting in DR Congo's Goma intensifies (Aljazeera.com)

The M23 rebel group has declared the key city of Goma under its control, signalling a big blow to the Congolese army.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

DR Congo conflict: Peace calls mount amid conflict in Goma (BBC News)

A Congolese government official has said the army is still in control of most of the regional capital, but M23 rebels who have attacked the city dispute that.

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Image courtesy of "defenceWeb"

SANDF death toll in the DRC climbs to 13 - defenceWeb (defenceWeb)

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed the deaths of another four soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), bringing the ...

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Image courtesy of "Jacaranda FM"

Clashes kill 17 in DR Congo as pro-Rwandan forces enter city (Jacaranda FM)

Clashes in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's besieged city of Goma have killed at least 17 people and wounded nearly 370, hospital sources sa.

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

DR Congo accuses Rwanda of 'declaration of war' after rebels enter ... (Financial Times)

Officials warn assault on Goma by Rwandan-backed M23 militia could lead to wider regional conflict.

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Image courtesy of "Amnesty International"

DRC: Warring parties must prioritize civilian protection and ... (Amnesty International)

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s regional and international partners must exert pressure on all parties to the conflict in the east of the country ...

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

French FM condemns 'unacceptable' attack on embassy in DR Congo (FRANCE 24)

Protesters have attacked several embassies in DR Congo's capital Kinshasa, including the French one, during demonstrations on Tuesday against the escalating ...

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Image courtesy of "UN News"

DR CONGO CRISIS: Security Council hears call for 'urgent and ... (UN News)

The Security Council met for the second time in three days on Tuesday over the escalating crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, ...

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Briefing (Security Council Report)

This afternoon (28 January), the Security Council will meet for its second urgent meeting this week on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Violence erupts in mineral-rich DR Congo as rebels move into key ... (CNN)

A rebel alliance claimed the capture of the biggest city in the Democratic Republic of Congo's mineral-rich eastern region this week, pushing back against ...

Communiqué of the 1256th Emergency Ministerial meeting held on ... (African Union)

COMMUNIQUE Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1256th Emergency Ministerial meeting held on 28 January 2025 on ...

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Image courtesy of "Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs"

DR Congo emergency: Next 24 hours are critical, warn UN agencies ... (Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs)

The latest reports from Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from UN teams on the ground indicate a fast-deteriorating situation on ...

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