Congo cuts ties with Rwanda amid escalating conflict in eastern city of Goma

Congo has severed its diplomatic relationship with Rwanda as fighting intensified around Goma, a key city in eastern Congo on January 27, 2025. The conflict is largely fueled by the M23 rebel group, which is allegedly backed by Rwanda and has been gaining control in the region. As a result, thousands of civilians have been displaced, seeking refuge due to violent clashes, which have left several peacekeepers and foreign soldiers dead. Since breaking away from the Congolese army more than a decade ago, the M23 group, primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis, has sought to establish authority in the mineral-rich area. Both Congo's government and foreign defense forces, including Rwandan troops, have actively engaged against the M23 to maintain peace and security in the region. Last year, Rwanda acknowledged deploying troops and missile systems in eastern Congo to ensure its national security amidst a perceived threat from Congolese forces amassing near the border. As fighting escalated, the U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting to address the situation, while Congo's government urged the international community to take a stance against Rwanda's alleged support for the M23 rebels. The emergence of such violence bears grave consequences, with reports of mass panic among Goma’s population of two million people, some fleeing from nearby camps amid heavy gunfire. These developments have created chaos and uncertainty, leading to increased humanitarian needs in a region already grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis. The acknowledgment from external governments about the situation has led to heightened tensions, particularly with recent deaths of peacekeepers within the last 48 hours. These events have prompted international calls for a ceasefire and urged Rwanda to withdraw its support for M23. Failure to stabilize the conflict threatens to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis further and could lead to a larger regional crisis, given the volatile relationship between Congo and Rwanda fueled by historical disputes and ongoing armed group activities in the area.