A deadly conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed over 700 lives and injured more than 2,800 people in just five days. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the number of fatalities is expected to rise.
Fighting between government forces and rebel coalition AFC/M23 escalated on January 26-30, with the rebels taking control of Goma, a major city in the North Kivu province. The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of backing M23, but has not confirmed the takeover.
DRC President Felix Tshisekedi has vowed to respond “vigilantly” to the rebel alliance, while Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix warned that the situation remains tense in Goma with occasional shooting. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that access to safe drinking water in Goma has been cut off, forcing people to use untreated water from Lake Kivu.
Experts have warned that civilians in Goma face shortages of basic necessities and are at risk of disease outbreaks. The WHO cautions that without urgent action, the risk of water-borne diseases will continue to increase.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/31/americas/un-says-more-than-700-killed-in-just-five-days-of-fighting-in-dr-congo/index.html