Since the morning of Saturday, April 12, a relative calm has returned to several neighborhoods in the city of Goma, including Himbi, Kyeshero, Ndosho, and Mugunga, as well as the northern part of Nyiragongo territory in North Kivu. This follows a night of heightened panic triggered by intense armed clashes that broke out early Friday morning, April 11.
According to multiple local sources, the fighting involved elements of the AFC-M23 and the Wazalendo militia. It took place in the Rusayo group area, within Virunga National Park, located in Nyiragongo territory. Residents of several areas of Goma—Kyeshero, Ndosho, Mugunga, and Lac Vert—reported hearing both heavy and light gunfire around 10 p.m.
Loud explosions were particularly intense in Kyeshero, leaving residents in fear and confusion. “We stayed up all night; the sounds of bombs and gunfire were non-stop,” a resident of the Ndosho said
According to consistent reports, the clashes were linked to an attempt by Wazalendo fighters to push back M23/AFC rebels, who have been occupying parts of Goma since late January. So far, there have been no confirmed reports of casualties or material damage.
Despite the escalating violence, the M23 rebel group reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in eastern DR Congo, emphasizing its intent to protect and defend civilians.
