Rwandan backed M23 rebels overran Goma city in Eastern DRC as regional leaders call for ceasefire
Restoration of peace and calm in the region

Rwandan-backed rebels M23 fighters have overran and taken over the control of the 1 million people inhabited and volatile Goma region in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) sparking humanitarian crisis.
Civilians have started fleeing the city over fears of escalated attacks and possible civilian casualties.
The M23 rebels marched into Goma today Monday, witnesses said, in the latest escalation of decades of conflict in a region already suffering one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
The rebel alliance, spearheaded by the ethnic Tutsi-led M23 militia, said it had captured the whole of the lakeside city, but that could not be independently confirmed.
Gunfire rang out near the airport, city center and border with Rwanda, with two residents reporting ongoing clashes between government-aligned militia and M23 fighters even as regional and international leaders called for ceasefire.
On his part, President William Ruto has called on President Felix Tshisekedi and President Paul Kagame to heed the call for peace.
While citing good neighbourliness and restoration of peace and calm in the region, President Ruto who also doubles as the current Chair of the East African Community, has urged the warring parties to dedicate their efforts towards achieving peace in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This comes following the shocking development of M23 militias advancing and taking control of the Town of Goma, North Kivu region, forcing thousands of civilians to flee in a bid to save their lives.
The escalating war has led to Congo severing all diplomatic ties with Rwanda, claiming Rwanda is backing the M23 rebels who are causing havoc as they capture Goma.
The United Nations has also accused Rwanda of backing the rebels; basing their accusations on a 2022 report by a U.N Group of Experts, which said it had “solid evidence” that Rwanda troops had been fighting alongside M23 rebels.
Rwanda on the other hand, has denied working with the rebels, saying it has taken defensive measures.
They have accused Congo of working with Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which they say has attacked Tutsis in both Congo and Rwanda.
According to the UN, “The group was formed in 2000, and has committed serious violations of international law involving the targeting of women and children in armed conflict, including killing and maiming, sexual violence, and forced displacement”.
The fight in Congo has fueled a humanitarian disaster with mass displacement and lack of access to basic needs like food and water being experienced by the civilians.
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which had been given the mandate to protect civilians and promote stability in Congo has also been shaken by the seizing of Goma.
Most of their staff together with their families got away from the fight, together with their families for their own safety.
President William Ruto, the current Chair of the East African Community, in his statement on the ongoing war, has called for the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostiles, saying the humanitarian crisis is worsening and the ongoing military action is only making it worse.
He said that a sustainable solution can only be found achieved through engagement, constructive dialogue and a renewed commitment to peace.
The president is expected to meet with regional Heads of State at an extraordinarily convened EAC Summit to chat the way forward, which is in line with the EAC Summit decision of November 2024 which called for constructive engagement to address the conflict.
President Felix Tshisekedi and President Paul Kagame confirmed their participation in the summit.
President Ruto has also urged the African Union (AU) not to remain passive to the crisis, adding that EAC stands ready to forge stronger collaboration with AU and Southern African Development Community (SADC).
He says the warring parties should be encouraged to prioritize engagement.

Amidst the soaring of fighting, the Government of Rwanda through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Internal Cooperation has noted the lack of important context in statements issued by various parties on the situation in Eastern DRC, saying misguided or manipulative statements do not provide solutions.
They say the recent heavy fighting around Goma was triggered by constant violations of the ceasefire by the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) together with UN-Sanctioned genocide militia FDLR, European mercenaries, ethnic militias (Wazalendo), Burundian armed forces, SAMIDRC forces as well as MONUSCO troops.
Rwanda says the fighting close to Rwandan border continues to present a serious threat to Rwanda’s internal security and territorial integrity, thus necessitating Rwanda’s sustained defensive posture.
Rwanda says it should be noted that the resurgence of M23 did not originate in their country, even though the Government of DRC has scapegoated Rwanda as the Congolese Tutsi community that M23 represents are conflated in Rwanda.
On the other hand, an early Monday morning communique from the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)/M23, urged residents of Goma to remain calm as the ‘liberation of the city has been successfully carried out and the situation is under control’.
It also sought to inform the National and International community of measures to suspend all lake activities effective immediately, until further notice, and all FARDC personnel to hand over their weapons and military equipment to MONUSCO for safe-keeping because the 48-hour deadline granted to the them has come to an end.