M23 rebels threaten to march on Goma, causing panic to spread across the city

After recently winning significant ground against the Congolese army, M23 rebels reportedly planned to march on Goma, the capital of DR Congo’s North Kivu Province, on Thursday, January 23. This sparked a panic in the city.

In the far outskirts, bombs were heard detonating, and reports of individuals escaping the city were made.

The roughly 2 million-person city of Goma has been under siege by the rebel group, which has made great strides in recent weeks.

Since 2021, a government alliance has been engaged in combat with the M23.

The M23 has taken control of the municipalities of Masisi, Katale, and Minova in recent weeks.

The rebels claim that they are battling against government forces and militias like the FDLR and Mai Mai that are committing acts of genocidal brutality against Congolese Tutsi populations.

According to M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, “the people of Goma have suffered greatly, like other Congolese,” on Thursday, he posted on X. “They need to get ready to embrace the liberation that M23 is set to bring them.”

After taking over Goma in 2012 and holding it for more than a week before its warriors were routed and left, M23 reappeared in late 2021.
On Thursday morning, Goma schools sent children home as violence broke out, according to the Associated Press.

The adversary reportedly aims to enter the city. A 19-year-old high school student named Hassan Kambale was cited by AP as stating, “That’s why we are told to go home.” “The bombs are what we’re always waiting for.”