In a shocking turn of events, the M23 rebel group has reportedly taken control of Goma, a city of over one million residents in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This rapid advance has ignited a massive exodus, with thousands fleeing from neighboring towns amid heavy gunfire and explosions.

Footage shared by locals shows M23 fighters patrolling the deserted streets of Goma after a sudden offensive that began on Sunday. Witnesses recounted the harrowing sounds of conflict echoing through the city, but reports indicate that the situation has calmed, with Goma now largely quiet.

Tensions are escalating, with DR Congo's Foreign Minister accusing Rwanda of waging war by supporting M23 fighters with troops across the border. In response, Rwanda has alleged that the DRC is backing militias seeking to destabilize its government. This reciprocal blame game fuels fears of an extended conflict in the region.

Kenyan President William Ruto, who heads the East African Community, has called for a ceasefire and announced an emergency summit, set to include leaders from both DR Congo and Rwanda. “Regional leaders must step in to find a peaceful resolution to this upheaval,” Ruto stated, highlighting a growing need for diplomatic intervention.

The M23, which has been expanding its territory in mineral-rich eastern DRC since 2021, is now accused of displacing over 400,000 people in North and South Kivu provinces alone since the beginning of 2025, according to the UN’s refugee agency. Among the displaced is Alice Feza, who has fled from multiple locations and lamented the dire situation, stating, “People are fleeing everywhere, and we don’t know where to go anymore.”

The UN has raised alarms as key roads surrounding Goma have been blocked, rendering the city's airport unusable for evacuations and humanitarian aid. Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Rwanda to withdraw its forces from DRC and called on the M23 to halt its aggression. Moreover, France and the UK have echoed these demands, stressing the need to protect peacekeepers in the area after recent attacks resulted in the deaths of 13 soldiers.

Amid escalating violence, the UN has begun evacuating non-essential personnel from Goma, although essential operations remain ongoing, raising concerns about the future humanitarian response in a region teetering on the brink.

As international tensions rise and civilians continue to suffer, one question lingers: will global powers intervene before it's too late, or will Goma become another tragic chapter in a long history of conflict in the DRC?