M23 Rebels Seize Goma, Deepening Congo Crisis

The Rwanda-backed group declares a ceasefire after capturing the strategic city, but questions remain about their next moves and international response.

The M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, has taken control of Goma, a key city in eastern Congo, after intense fighting that left at least 900 dead.
The capture has displaced thousands, with some returning to their villages under M23 control, while others remain in dire conditions in Goma, now a dead end for many refugees.
M23 announced a temporary ceasefire, citing humanitarian reasons, though reports of continued skirmishes and forced taxation have emerged in occupied regions.
The conflict is rooted in long-standing tensions, with M23 claiming to protect Tutsi communities from Hutu militias tied to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, while critics accuse them of exploiting Congo's vast mineral wealth.
International pressure is mounting, with the U.S. urging respect for Congo's sovereignty and European nations reconsidering partnerships with Rwanda over its alleged involvement in the conflict.