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Death Toll Increases Above 900 In DR Congo Conflict Between M23 Rebels And Government Forces
The ongoing conflict between M23 rebels and government forces in Goma, the capital of North Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has resulted in over 900 deaths in the past two weeks, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In a statement released late Monday, the WHO disclosed that approximately 2,880 injured individuals have been admitted to health facilities in Goma since January 26, underscoring the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Last week, the M23 armed group, reportedly backed by Rwandan troops, captured Goma’s airport, intensifying its grip on the city.
The rebels’ rapid advance has forced tens of thousands of residents to flee their homes, exacerbating the already dire displacement crisis in the DRC.
Goma, a strategic hub in North Kivu, has been at the center of recurring violence, with M23—a rebel group named after a 2009 peace agreement it claims the government failed to uphold—reigniting tensions. The group has been accused of severe human rights violations, including the targeting of civilians.
The rebels have intensified attacks in eastern DRC, claiming control over Goma and establishing checkpoints, severely restricting humanitarian access.
With Goma under their control, the rebels pushed towards Bukavu, another major city in eastern DRC. Previously, the group had declared its intention to advance across the country toward the national capital, Kinshasa. However, in a recent statement, M23 rebels denied plans to capture Bukavu.
“It must be made clear that we have no intention of capturing Bukavu or other areas. However, we reiterate our commitment to protecting and defending the civilian population and our positions,” M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka stated.
Meanwhile, Rwanda-backed forces in eastern DRC announced on Tuesday that they would pause their advance for humanitarian reasons.
The Alliance Fleuve Congo rebel coalition declared a unilateral ceasefire starting Tuesday, a decision made in response to growing humanitarian concerns.
The rebels’ post on X (formerly Twitter), read:
“The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) informs the public that, in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the regime in Kinshasa, it declares a ceasefire starting February 4, 2025, for humanitarian reasons.”
Despite the ceasefire declaration, there has been no immediate response from the DRC government in Kinshasa, and it remains unclear whether the Congolese military will honor the truce. Over the past three years, multiple ceasefires and truces have been declared, only to be systematically broken.
Before the ceasefire announcement, the International Committee of the Red Cross reported treating over 600 wounded individuals since the start of January, nearly half of whom were civilians, including women and children.
Meanwhile, the WHO has warned of a heightened risk of disease outbreaks, including mpox, cholera, and measles, as displaced populations struggle to access medical care.
