The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda’s 4,000 troops, has pushed south from Goma, capturing the border city and declaring its intention to remain there. The move has sparked fears of a major regional war, with international calls for restraint appearing to have had little impact.
Rwanda’s ambassador-at-large, Vincent Karega, said the M23 advance would continue, potentially pushing beyond the country’s east. Local sources reported that fighters seized two districts in South Kivu province as they advanced towards Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern DRC.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has called on young people to enlist in the army “massively” and vowed a vigorous response to the rebel advance. The president criticized the international community’s “silence and inaction,” calling it an affront in the face of worsening security concerns that could lead to broader regional conflict.
Rwanda is facing mounting pressure over its role in the fighting, with the US, Germany, and UK expressing concern. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot is set to discuss the crisis, with a call for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from DRC.
The M23 rebels’ advance could put South Kivu under rebel control for the first time since two major wars ended in 2003. Troops from Burundi support Congolese troops in the region, increasing the risk of wider conflict. DRC is rich in minerals, including gold and cobalt, which some accuse Rwanda of seeking to profit from by supporting the M23.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/30/drc-leader-calls-for-military-recruits-rwanda-backed-rebels-advance