Embassies Attacked in Kinshasa as Fighting Intensifies in Goma Amid M23 Assault
Kinshasa and Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo – January 28, 2025 – Intense violence continues to grip the Democratic Republic of Congo as fighting escalates in both Goma and Kinshasa. In Goma, the eastern city under siege by the M23 rebel group and Rwandan troops, streets are littered with corpses after heavy bombing and gunfire. The rebels seized the city’s airport on Tuesday, strengthening their position as they advance toward full control of the city.
The fighting began on Sunday evening, when M23 forces, backed by Rwandan soldiers, entered Goma, a city of over a million residents, and quickly gained control of strategic sites, including the provincial governorate. With over 1,200 Congolese soldiers surrendering, many of them are now housed in a United Nations base at the airport. A security source confirmed that the airport was under the control of M23 and Rwandan forces as of Tuesday, with more violence expected in the coming days. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that “Goma is about to fall.”
The situation in Goma has left thousands of civilians fleeing to neighboring countries. Destin Jamaica Kela, a 24-year-old student who fled with his family, described the chaos: “The bombs were falling and killing people everywhere.” Streets have been filled with the bodies of soldiers and civilians alike, as people scramble for food and basic necessities.
In the capital, Kinshasa, anger has boiled over into violent protests. Demonstrators attacked multiple foreign embassies, including those of Rwanda, France, Belgium, Kenya, and the United States. Rwanda, in particular, has been accused by Congolese authorities of “declaring war” on the DRC due to its support for the M23 rebels. Many protesters also expressed frustration with the perceived inaction of the international community, particularly countries like France, Belgium, and the U.S.
On the diplomatic front, the African Union’s Peace and Security Council condemned the violence carried out by the M23 rebels and urged them to “lay down their arms.” However, the council refrained from directly addressing Rwanda’s role in the conflict. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council has yet to hold a meeting to address the escalating crisis in the DRC.
Eastern Congo has been a hotbed of conflict for over 30 years, with tensions exacerbated by the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. While Rwanda denies accusations that it seeks to control the DRC’s vast natural resources, Congolese authorities maintain that Rwanda is actively involved in exploiting the region’s resources and supporting armed groups hostile to the DRC.
As the violence continues to unfold, the humanitarian crisis deepens, with tens of thousands of people displaced, many fleeing to nearby countries for safety. The international community is under increasing pressure to take action as the situation threatens to destabilize the entire region.