Escalating Violence in Eastern Congo Displaces Over 400,000

UN warns of a worsening humanitarian crisis as M23 rebels advance toward Goma, intensifying clashes with peacekeepers and government forces.

The M23 rebel group, reportedly supported by Rwanda, has surrounded the city of Goma, home to three million people, including refugees.
Recent fighting near Goma has killed nine South African peacekeepers, and the UN has begun evacuating non-essential staff due to security concerns.
Over 400,000 people have been displaced in January alone, with reports of bombings, sexual violence, and attacks on refugee camps worsening the humanitarian crisis.
The conflict centers on control of mineral-rich areas, including Coltan deposits critical for electronics and electric vehicle batteries.
International bodies, including the UN, EU, and African Union, have condemned Rwanda's alleged support for M23 and called for an immediate ceasefire.