The United States, United Kingdom, and France have called on their nationals to leave the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) city of Goma as violence escalates between M23 rebels and Congolese forces. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have failed, while the fighting continues to displace thousands of civilians.
On Friday, clashes erupted outside Goma, with M23 rebels closing in on the city, which is home to about two million people. The rebels, who have gained significant territory in recent weeks, are reportedly backed by Rwandan troops. The situation is rapidly deteriorating, prompting the international community to urge citizens to leave the area while airports and borders remain open.
The United Nations (UN) has warned of a mounting humanitarian crisis in the region. According to UNHCR spokesman Matthew Saltmarsh, over 400,000 people have been displaced in 2025 alone. Saltmarsh expressed concern over the safety of civilians and internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom have been forced to seek refuge in Goma.
“The number of displacements is now over 400,000 people this year alone, almost double the number reported last week,” Saltmarsh said during a briefing in Geneva.
UN chief Antonio Guterres also expressed alarm over the resumption of hostilities, urging an immediate ceasefire. He warned the conflict could spark a broader regional war, as fighting in North Kivu province continues to escalate.
Fighting between the Congolese army and M23 rebels was reported in the town of Sake, located 20 kilometers from Goma. Military sources confirmed that the M23 was present in Sake as of Friday.
The death of North Kivu’s military governor, General Peter Cirimwami, was confirmed on Friday. He had been shot the previous day near the frontlines.
As civilians flee the violence, at least a dozen UN peacekeeping vehicles were seen heading west from Goma, and armored vehicles from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission were transporting supplies to the frontlines. The International Committee of the Red Cross reported treating more than 70 wounded individuals at a hospital in Goma on Thursday.
M23, or the March 23 Movement, previously occupied Goma in 2012 before being driven out by Congolese forces with UN support. However, despite several peace talks and ceasefires, the conflict persists.
Efforts to mediate between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame have thus far failed. A peace process led by Angola was also abandoned in December after the two leaders failed to reach an agreement. On Thursday, Turkey offered to lead new mediation efforts.
