Thousands flee eastern DRC as M23 rebels encircle provincial capital Goma

RFI

24 January 2025 at 11:20 am·1-min read

Soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) are cheered by the local population in Sake, 25km north west of Goma, on 23 January, 2025.

Thousands of people have fled their homes in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as clashes between M23 rebels and government forces intensify. The Rwanda-backed armed group has captured a string of towns over the last few days, encircling the provincial capital Goma. Several Western countries have called for their citizens to evacuate.

The 23 March Movement (M23) rebels are battling the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) on several fronts around key city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu, notably in Sake and Kibumba, towns 20km away.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced around the outskirts of Goma, which was briefly captured by the M23 in 2012.

Late Friday, the UK, US and France urged their citizens to leave the city, warning the situation could deteriorate rapidly.

Haguma Banga is walking with a mattress on his head. After fleeing Sake, he has had no news from his family. "I don’t know where my wife and five children are. It would be a miracle to find them again," he told RFI’s correspondent.

Other residents – like Amina and her children – have decided to cross into neighbouring Rwanda, where many have found refuge in the border town of Rubavu.

"My husband lives here, he told me to join him to escape the panic that is gripping the city of Goma," Amina told RFI.

Hundreds injured in shelling

This incident caused minor injuries to three peacekeepers, sources told RFI.

Australian Associated Press
Lyon takes 550th wicket as Australia eye series sweep
Veteran offspinner Nathan Lyon entered the history books as Australia put themselves in the box seat for a 2-0 series whitewash of Sri Lanka.
Australian Associated Press
JackJumpers win as Cairns flop from three-point land
The Tasmania JackJumpers have ended their NBL season on a high, snapping a six-match losing run with a seven-point victory over Cairns.
Australian Associated Press
Aussie skiers soar to fantastic four clean sweep
Australian aerial skiers have claimed a historic clean sweep of the first four places at the iconic World Cup event in Deer Valley in Utah.
Australian Associated Press
Kookaburras dominate but Spanish have last laugh
A new-look Kookaburras have been unable to convert their chances as a clinical Spain edged the hosts in a shoot-out to win again in Sydney's Pro League leg.
Australian Associated Press
Gutsy Jets stun Victory for big A-League Men upset
Melbourne Victory have slumped to a dramatic 3-0 defeat to Newcastle in a blow to their hopes of staying in touch with the A-League Men top two.
Australian Associated Press
Geary leads men's Vic Open with one round to play
New Zealander Josh Geary holds a four-stroke lead over Australian Austin Bautista with one round to play at the men's Vic Open.
Australian Associated Press
Australia make sizzling start to Sydney SailGP
Australia have capitalised on some sizzling starts on day one of the Sydney SailGP event to lead by five points after winning the last two of the four races.
Australian Associated Press
Clayton century means Konstas made to wait at Gabba
Queensland's No.3 Jack Clayton's unbeaten century on day one at the Gabba, after the Bulls were sent in, meant NSW gun Sam Konstas was made to wait for a hit.
Australian Associated Press
Relief for Blues, Saints as stars avoid serious injury
Carlton star Charlie Curnow has been cleared of structural damage to his right knee, while St Kilda spearhead Max King has also avoided serious injury.
Australian Associated Press
Victoria on top despite Tasmanian teen's debut fifty
Victoria are in a strong position in their Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania, despite 18-year-old Aidan O'Connor top-scoring with 53 for the hosts on debut.
Australian Associated Press
Aussie debutant Connolly struggles in first Test knock
Australia's Cooper Connolly was handed a whirlwind Test debut ahead of the second Sri Lanka Test, but the batting allrounder's first knock did not go to plan.
Australian Associated Press
Kings star Adams free to play despite ugly eye poke
Jaylen Adams has pleaded guilty to poking his opponent in the eye, but he's still free to play in the Sydney Kings' NBL finals series.
Australian Associated Press
US judge denies bid to block Musk from personal data
A US judge has denied government employee unions' request to block Elon Musk's access to sensitive data on labour department systems.
Australian Associated Press
Young, Daniels star as Hawks overcome 21-point deficit
Trae Young had 24 points and Australian Dyson Daniels 15 points and 10 assists, as the Atlanta Hawks beat the Milwaukee Bucks by five points.
Australian Associated Press
Wreck of missing Alaska plane found, all 10 aboard dead
A small commuter plane that crashed in western Alaska on its way to the hub community of Nome has been located, with all 10 people on board dead.
Australian Associated Press
Slater winds back the clock at Pipe Pro in Hawaii
Kelly Slater has beaten Ethan Ewing at the Pipe Pro, with rookie George Pittar the only Australian man to advance to the quarter-finals.
Australian Associated Press
Ballots and barbs in by-election litmus test for Labor
State Liberals hope voter frustration over living costs and crime will deliver them upsets in two by-elections being held at once in capital city suburbs.
Australian Associated Press
Phoenix, Victory fight out A-League Women draw
Wellington Phoenix have missed a chance to jump into the A-League Women top six after playing out a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory.
Australian Associated Press
High expectations for Magpies recruit Dan Houston
All-Australian defender Dan Houston is loving life at Collingwood and is bullish about his new club's chances of climbing back into AFL premiership contention.
Australian Associated Press
US judge pauses plan to pull aid workers off the job
A US judge has blocked President Donald Trump from placing thousands of USAID workers on leave and giving service workers abroad a 30-day deadline to return.

Hundreds injured in shelling

Latest stories