Rwanda-Backed M23 Rebels Seize Goma, Escalating Conflict in Eastern Congo

Thousands are dead as Rwandan troop involvement in the conflict is increasingly evident, with international calls for peace intensifying ahead of regional talks.

The M23 rebel group, supported by Rwandan troops, has captured the key Congolese city of Goma, with nearly 3,000 deaths reported in one of the bloodiest weeks of the conflict.
Rwanda denies involvement despite reports of thousands of its soldiers operating in the DRC and significant casualties, including mass graves and secret burials of Rwandan troops.
UN experts and satellite imagery suggest Rwanda has 'de facto control' over the M23 rebels, with the group now advancing toward South Kivu province and the city of Bukavu.
The conflict has disrupted humanitarian efforts, including critical public health labs in Goma, and exacerbated displacement, with over six million people already displaced in the region.
Regional leaders, including the presidents of Rwanda and the DRC, are set to meet in Tanzania for crisis talks, as international pressure mounts for a ceasefire and peace negotiations.