“The city of Goma, the economic and humanitarian nerve center of North Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has fallen under the control of the M23 rebel group, triggering a devastating humanitarian and security crisis… This bloodshed unfolded in the shadow of numerous international forces, including the United Nations peacekeeping mission,“ writes Passy Mubalama, a member of Forum 2000’s ICDR and DSA.
The city of Goma, the economic and humanitarian nerve center of North Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has fallen under the control of the M23 rebel group, triggering a devastating humanitarian and security crisis. Backed by the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF), M23 fighters launched a violent offensive that led to the massacre of more than 4,000 civilians during the seizure of the city, according to official figures from the Congolese government.
This bloodshed unfolded in the shadow of numerous international forces, including the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO), the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF), troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and even private foreign mercenaries. Yet, despite their presence, none were able to prevent the fall of Goma or protect its population from mass atrocities.
The M23’s military campaign is not new. Its resurgence began with the capture of Bunagana in 2022, and has since been marked by a series of atrocities, including the Kishishe massacre, in which at least 171 civilians were slaughtered in November 2022. Thousands more have died in successive waves of violence. IDP camps in Mugunga, Lushagala, Kanyaruchinya and other locations have been targeted by air strikes and shelling. In total, more than 7 million people have been displaced across the DRC—the highest number in Africa.
Shockingly, M23 forces have recently begun forcing displaced populations to return to their home villages, despite the continued insecurity in those areas. Humanitarian organizations warn that this amounts to coerced returns, which further endanger civilians and violate international humanitarian law.
Inside Goma and its surrounding areas, human rights violations are rampant: killings, rape, arbitrary arrests, looting, forced recruitment—including of children—and the complete closure of civic space. Freedom of speech has collapsed. Civil society leaders, journalists, and human rights defenders face imprisonment, exile, or assassination. The population lives under an atmosphere of terror and repression.
At the center of this crisis is Rwanda’s direct military and logistical support to the M23, widely documented by the United Nations Group of Experts, Congolese authorities, and international human rights organizations. Despite this clear evidence, Rwanda continues to deny involvement, while simultaneously benefiting from international protection and diplomatic inertia.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the body tasked with maintaining global peace and security, has failed to take decisive action. While the Security Council has expressed “concern,” it has not imposed targeted sanctions on high-level Rwandan officials or the M23 leadership. Permanent members with close ties to Rwanda have obstructed stronger resolutions, weakening the Council’s credibility and emboldening the aggressors.
The European Union, while more vocal, has also fallen short of firm action. Although the EU recently imposed sanctions on certain M23 commanders, it has so far refrained from sanctioning the Rwandan government or its military officials—despite clear evidence of state-level involvement. Economic and military partnerships with Rwanda, particularly in areas such as migration and counterterrorism, appear to be prioritized over justice and accountability for the people of Congo.
Regional peace efforts, including the Nairobi and Luanda processes, have collapsed under the weight of Rwandan intransigence and a lack of pressure from the international community. Calls from Congolese civil society and regional observers for an arms embargo, economic sanctions, and the political isolation of Rwanda have largely been ignored.
What is unfolding in Goma is not only a national tragedy, but a global failure. The deliberate destruction of lives, the forced displacement of millions, and the silencing of a nation are occurring under the watch of international actors who profess to uphold human rights and peace. Without urgent, coordinated, and concrete action, including robust sanctions against the Rwandan state apparatus, this war will continue to spread—and hope for peace in the Great Lakes region will slip further away.
The views expressed in these works are the responsibility of its authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Forum 2000 Foundation or its staff.
