On January 26, 2025, armed clashes erupted around Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as Congolese armed forces and M23 rebels, allegedly supported by Rwanda, engaged in combat. Reports indicate that fighting has come within 25 kilometers of Goma, leading to significant disruptions in water and electricity supplies to the city.
In response to the escalating crisis in eastern DRC, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered Turkey's mediation between Rwanda and the DRC during a meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame on January 24, 2025, in Ankara. This proposal comes amid intensifying hostilities between M23 rebels and Congolese forces, raising concerns from the United Nations about the potential for a regional war.
Turkey's diplomatic and economic engagement in Africa has been notable, having successfully intervened in a recent dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia. However, experts express skepticism regarding the effectiveness of Turkey's mediation in the DRC-Rwanda conflict, emphasizing the need for acceptance from both parties involved.
Multiple regional organizations, including the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, have initiated peace efforts, yet tensions persist. Congolese authorities advocate for targeted sanctions against Rwanda, which they accuse of supporting the M23 rebels, while regional bodies favor a dialogue-based resolution.
As the conflict continues, the civilian population remains the most affected, enduring the consequences of the ongoing violence in eastern DRC.