Conflict in Congo Escalates as M23 Rebels Seize Key City of Goma

The takeover intensifies a long-standing crisis, displacing hundreds of thousands and drawing regional and international focus on the humanitarian and political fallout.

The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, has captured Goma, a critical city in the resource-rich North Kivu province, marking the most significant escalation in the conflict since 2012.
The ongoing violence has displaced an estimated 700,000 people in Goma and surrounding areas, with many fleeing overcrowded refugee camps due to insecurity.
Humanitarian conditions in Goma have deteriorated sharply, with hospitals overwhelmed, widespread shortages of food and water, and reports of civilian casualties and abuses during the fighting.
The conflict is fueled by competition over valuable resources like cobalt and coltan, with allegations of illegal mining and smuggling operations linked to Rwanda and Uganda.
Regional and international leaders, including the U.S. and Kenya, are urging a ceasefire and dialogue, as fears grow that the fighting could ignite broader instability in the Great Lakes region.