The M23 rebel group has declared control over Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, after a swift offensive. The group’s leader, Corneille Nangaa, stated that government troops had been ordered to surrender by 3:00 a.m. local time. Reports suggest M23 fighters have advanced as far as Munigi, located just 9 kilometers from Goma’s center.

Government Troops Ordered to Surrender

Rebel forces allowed some government officers to leave for Bukavu by boat. Other troops were directed to disarm and surrender their weapons to MONUSCO, the U.N. mission in Congo. Sporadic gunfire was heard in parts of the city, which was left in darkness due to a power outage.

The M23 rebels claim their actions are aimed at protecting Congo’s ethnic Tutsi population. However, Congolese officials accuse the group of serving as proxies for Rwanda, a claim that Kigali denies. Diplomatic ties between the two nations have been severed, and Rwanda has blamed Congo for failing to pursue peace efforts.

The U.N. Security Council convened an emergency meeting to address the crisis. Bintou Keita, head of the U.N. mission in Congo, highlighted that M23 and Rwandan forces had blocked major roads, closed Goma’s airspace, and disrupted humanitarian operations.

Hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled the violence since January 23, 2025, with humanitarian agencies forced to suspend their operations. The situation has left many without access to food or basic services, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.

The conflict has claimed several lives, including North Kivu’s military governor and three U.N. peacekeepers. The escalating violence raises fears of a broader regional war as Goma’s residents face an uncertain future.