Goma, the capital city of the North Kivu region in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a thriving metropolis that is home to around two million people. The strategic city of Goma, the hub of a region containing trillions of dollars in mineral wealth that remains largely untapped.
”If the wealth gap at home troubles you – come to Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and see what happens when you mix two decades of conflict, a collapsed state, and vast mineral wealth. These are the words of Andrew Harding, BBC Africa correspondent in 2011 describing the situation in the city. Till today, the city of Goma is still in the same situation.
Operating in the North Kivu province, the group takes its name from the March 23 Agreement of 2009 when the DRC government, under President Joseph Kabila — son of Laurent-Desire Kabila — signed a ceasefire treaty with the Tutsi-majority National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), one of the numerous groups of fighters active since the Second Congo War. In the agreement, the CNDP was meant to become a political party and its fighters were to integrate into the Congolese military, FARDC.
However, the origin of the current fighting can partly be traced back to the genocide in Rwanda in 1994. Thus, the Congo’s two wars (1996-2003) solidified a system of armed militias ruling various portions of the country, particularly in the restive eastern region. This is largely the result of the absence of a functioning security sector (army or police), and thus the inability of the state to guarantee safety to civilians. As a result, the population (civilians, politicians, and businessmen) have been driven to seek protection from armed commanders, thus expanding the militarization of local governance.
As of January 2025, the city is once again the goal of an offensive by M23, in the Battle of Goma. According to experts, in territories under its control, M23 implements its own tax system, runs a local government and controls natural resources. M23 spokesman Willy Ngoma told CNN on Saturday that his group was motivated by concern for the residents of Goma, which is home to minority groups such as the Congolese Tutsi community.
Lately, at least 13 soldiers serving with peacekeeping forces in the DRC were killed by M23 rebels after two days of fierce fighting, including nine members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) serving with MONUSCO and SAMIDRC. Furthermore, the fighting resulted in the death of Major General Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, military governor of North Kivu province. Also, BBC Verify has analysed footage posted by Rwanda’s government news agency (RBA) showing what it said was a group of Congolese soldiers who had fled over the border to Rwanda, surrendered their weapons and handed themselves in.
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The majority of M23 rebel combatants originate from North Kivu province and specifically from Masisi and Rutshuru. These territories are close to the border of Rwanda where fighting takes place. They are extremely familiar with this terrain and might enjoy local support from inhabitants. The city of Goma is also within this vicinity. Similarly, the area of Rutshuru territory alone is approximately 5,300km², equivalent to a fifth of Rwandan territory.
In 2024, the DRC, Western powers and a UN expert group said the Tutsi-led rebel group is supported by Rwanda. Rwanda has denied all involvement, but the accusations have led to a diplomatic crisis in the region. However, Rwanda’s government denies backing the rebels, but last year acknowledged that it has troops and missile systems in eastern Congo to safeguard its security, pointing to a buildup of Congolese forces near the border.
While U.N. experts estimate there are up to 4,000 Rwandan forces in Congo. In addition, M23 is now thought to comprise around 1,500 troops and may be using the recent lull in fighting to train and strengthen their force. The Congolese government refuses to compromise with the rebels, leaving the future of the rebellion unknown, and the current phase of relative calm fragile.
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