The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwandan troops, has captured the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The offensive has resulted in a devastating loss of life, with at least 2,900 people killed, according to a UN representative. The UN mission in DRC (MONUSCO) is working to collect bodies and provide a dignified burial.
The M23, a predominantly Tutsi group, has previously occupied Goma for ten days in 2012 before international pressure forced their withdrawal. The current offensive has heightened tensions between DRC and Rwanda, with the Congolese government accusing Kigali of supporting the M23. The UN has confirmed this support.
Rwanda and the M23 accuse the Congolese army of collaborating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group founded by leaders of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The UN has corroborated this claim. Rwanda argues that it is seeking to ensure its security by eradicating armed groups, particularly those formed by former Hutu officials involved in the genocide.
In response to the escalating situation, the president of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, has ordered the withdrawal of Malawian troops from northeastern DRC. These troops were assisting the Congolese army in fighting the M23 as part of a regional force deployed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Malawi also has troops stationed with MONUSCO.
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