As M23 rebels, part of the larger Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), continue their advance toward Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has reaffirmed its support for the Congolese army (FARDC) in their efforts to halt the rebels’ territorial expansion.
In a statement issued on Friday, January 24, MONUSCO reported that its forces had deployed heavy artillery to target M23 positions in Sake, a town less than 30 kilometers from Goma, which fell to the rebels a day earlier. The UN mission also repositioned troops to strategic locations in and around Goma to reinforce defenses and deter further rebel advances.
Fatalities and Injuries Amid Intensified Clashes
The situation worsened on Thursday with the death of Maj. Gen. Peter Chirimwami, the military governor of North Kivu, who was reportedly killed near Sake while engaging M23 fighters alongside the government coalition. MONUSCO also reported that five of its peacekeepers were injured during combat on Friday, while four others sustained minor injuries on Thursday. All nine wounded peacekeepers are receiving medical treatment.
MONUSCO highlighted its proactive role in the conflict, noting that it has conducted joint day and night patrols with FARDC, supported Congolese forces with heavy artillery, and deployed attack helicopters to destroy M23 equipment. The UN’s Quick Reaction Forces (QRF) have also been engaged in intense battles in Sake, demonstrating what the mission described as “resilience and professionalism.”
Rebel Accusations Against UN and SADC Forces
M23 rebels have accused MONUSCO and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc forces of intervening in a conflict they claim was “imposed upon them” by a coalition led by the Congolese government. Earlier this week, the rebels issued a stern warning, reiterating that they would “exercise full rights to legitimate self-defense” against what they perceive as a joint aggression by UN and SADC forces.
The Congolese government’s coalition reportedly includes FARDC, Burundian troops, European mercenaries, and local Congolese militias, as well as the FDLR—a militia linked to the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The FDLR has been accused of spreading genocide ideology and persecuting Congolese Tutsi and Banyamulenge communities in eastern DR Congo.
Rebel Justification for Advancing Toward Goma
In a statement issued on January 24, M23 rebels acknowledged the suffering endured by the people of Goma and claimed they were advancing to “liberate” the city. “We have heard their call for liberation and peace,” the statement read. The group called on the population to remain calm and prepare to welcome AFC/M23, stating their commitment to bringing “peace and stability” to the region.
Eastern DR Congo has long been plagued by conflict, with over 200 armed groups, including M23 and FDLR, wreaking havoc. The ongoing violence has led to widespread displacement and humanitarian crises, drawing international attention to the dire situation. MONUSCO’s efforts to stabilize the region face increasing challenges as the conflict escalates, threatening to plunge North Kivu into further chaos.
Among others, earlier, on January 22, the rebels had urged SADC mission’s forces and MONUSCO “to disassociate themselves from the coalition of negative forces that threaten peace and stability in the region.”
Tensions between the Congolese army and the M23 began in November 2021, after the rebel group had spent nearly a decade without fighting.
The rebels accuse the Congolese army of cooperating with militias such FDLR, which have persecuted Congolese Tutsi communities and destabilized eastern DR Congo for nearly 30 years.
Various regional peace initiatives have failed to bring an end to the conflict which has affected relations between Rwanda and DR Congo, with Kinshasa accusing Kigali of supporting the rebels. The Rwandan government dismisses the allegations, and warns about the collaboration between the Congolese army and FDLR, which is a threat to Rwanda’s security.
Eastern DR Congo which is home to more than 200 local and foreign armed groups has been volatile for about three decades.
