Over 700 Killed in DR Congo Fighting as Rebels Advance, UN Reports
The United Nations says at least 700 people have been killed, and 2,800 injured, in intense fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since Sunday. According to the BBC, the violence erupted as M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. The rebels are now reportedly moving south toward Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.
The conflict in eastern DRC has been ongoing since the 1990s but has escalated dramatically in recent weeks. The M23 rebels, made up of ethnic Tutsis, claim they are fighting for minority rights. However, the DRC government accuses them of trying to control the region’s vast mineral wealth with Rwanda’s support.
Rising Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric warned that the death toll is likely to rise further. The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners, working with the DRC government, reported these figures after assessing the situation between Sunday and Thursday.
The fighting has also worsened the humanitarian crisis in the region. Shelley Thakral from the UN’s World Food Programme told the BBC that residents in Goma are running out of food, clean water, and medical supplies. “The supply chain has really been strangled,” she said, as land and air access to the city has been cut off. Since the start of 2025, over 400,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, according to the UN refugee agency.
DRC Military and Civilian Resistance
To stop the rebels’ advance, the DRC military has set up a defensive line between Goma and Bukavu. Hundreds of civilian volunteers have also joined the effort to defend Bukavu. One young man told the BBC, “I am ready to die for my country.”
Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki, the governor of South Kivu, claimed that government forces and their allies are holding back the rebels. However, this has not been independently verified. Earlier this week, M23 vowed to continue its offensive until it reaches Kinshasa, the DRC capital, located about 2,600 kilometers (1,600 miles) to the west.
Rwanda’s Role and International Response
DRC’s Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner accused Rwanda of illegally occupying parts of the country and attempting to orchestrate a regime change. She criticized the international community for failing to hold Rwandan President Paul Kagame accountable for violating international law.
Rwanda’s government spokeswoman, Yolande Makolo, denied these accusations, stating that Rwandan troops are only deployed to prevent the conflict from spilling over into Rwanda. “We’re not interested in war, we’re not interested in annexation, we’re not interested in regime change,” she told the BBC.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc, has expressed support for the DRC. At a crisis summit in Zimbabwe, SADC reaffirmed its commitment to helping the DRC protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The group has sent peacekeeping troops, mainly from South Africa, to combat armed groups like M23 and restore stability in the region.
A Unique Perspective
This conflict is not just about territory or resources—it’s a tragic reminder of how decades of unrest can devastate a region. The DRC, Africa’s second-largest country, has faced repeated cycles of violence since the 1990s, often involving neighboring countries. This latest escalation shows how fragile peace can be in a region rich in minerals but plagued by instability.
The international community must step up efforts to mediate and provide humanitarian aid. Without a lasting solution, the people of eastern DRC will continue to suffer.
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Credit to the BBC for their detailed reporting on this topic.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78xvgvy172o