Clashes Kill 17 Seventeen people were killed in violent clashes in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as pro-Rwandan forces advanced into the city on Monday. The fighting, which involved heavy artillery fire and gunshots, has sent shockwaves across the troubled region, deepening an already dire security and humanitarian crisis.
Meanwhile, the government of Rwanda reported the deaths of five civilians across the border, allegedly caused by stray artillery fire from the clashes in Goma. Tensions between the DRC and Rwanda remain at a boiling point, with Kinshasa accusing Kigali of backing the armed group M23, which has escalated its campaign in the mineral-rich eastern DRC in recent years.
Details of the Clashes in Goma
The violence erupted early Monday as pro-Rwandan forces, Clashes Kill 17 believed to be affiliated with the M23 rebel group, attempted to seize control of key entry points to the city of Goma. Goma, home to nearly two million people, serves as a major economic and administrative hub in the eastern DRC and has long been at the center of conflict involving armed groups vying for control of territory and resources.
Eyewitnesses in Goma described a terrifying scene as heavy gunfire and artillery shells rocked neighborhoods. Residents fled in panic as the sounds of explosions filled the air. Homes and businesses were destroyed, and the city came to a standstill as civilians sought refuge in schools, churches, Clashes Kill 17 and makeshift shelters.
“I heard loud explosions near my house early in the morning. People were running, crying, and leaving everything behind. The entire neighborhood is in chaos,” said Kambale Musafiri, a Goma resident who managed to escape the fighting with his family.
According to local officials, the death toll includes civilians and Congolese security personnel, with dozens more injured. The Red Cross has warned that the death toll could rise further, as many bodies remain trapped in the rubble of buildings damaged by artillery fire. “We are struggling to access some areas to rescue those who may still be alive. The intensity of the clashes has made rescue operations incredibly challenging,” said a Red Cross official on the ground. 
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Rwanda Claims Civilian Casualties on Its Soil
Just across the border, Rwanda claimed that stray artillery shells fired during the clashes killed five of its citizens in the Rubavu district, which lies adjacent to Goma. Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta condemned the incident, saying, “This act is unacceptable, Clashes Kill 17 and Rwanda reserves the right to protect its territorial integrity and civilians.”
The DRC government has denied targeting Rwandan civilians, accusing Rwanda of stoking the conflict in the eastern provinces. Tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent months, with Kinshasa accusing Kigali of supporting the M23 rebel group, allegations that Rwanda has consistently denied.
Rwanda’s claims have raised fears of a broader regional escalation, Clashes Kill 17 as both nations blame each other for the violence in Goma and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the eastern DRC.
Background: The M23 Rebellion and Rwanda’s Role
The ongoing clashes in Goma come against the backdrop of a wider conflict involving the March 23 Movement (M23), an armed rebel group that has been active in the DRC since 2012. M23, which primarily comprises Tutsi fighters, has accused the Congolese government of failing to implement previous peace agreements that included political and economic reforms as well as reintegration programs for its fighters.
The DRC government has long accused neighboring Rwanda of covertly supporting the M23 as a means to extend its influence over the mineral-rich eastern regions of the DRC. These regions are home to vast reserves of valuable resources such as gold, tin, tantalum, and coltan, which are often at the heart of the conflict. Rwanda, Clashes Kill 17 however, denies these allegations and instead accuses the DRC of harboring anti-Rwandan militias, particularly the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), a group that includes perpetrators of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.
The M23 rebellion, initially suppressed in 2013 after a military offensive, re-emerged in late 2021, gaining ground rapidly and capturing vast swathes of territory in North Kivu province. The group’s resurgence has exacerbated an already volatile security situation in the DRC, Clashes Kill 17 with multiple armed groups operating in the area and displacing millions of people.
Regional and International Reactions
The renewed violence in Goma has drawn sharp criticism and concern from regional and international actors. The East African Community (EAC), of which both the DRC and Rwanda are members, has called for restraint and dialogue between the two nations. EAC-mediated peace talks have been underway for months, but tangible progress has been limited, as both sides accuse each other of fueling instability.
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) has also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. MONUSCO spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated, “Clashes Kill 17 We strongly condemn the loss of civilian lives and call on all armed groups and state actors to prioritize peace over conflict.”
The African Union (AU) and several international organizations, including Amnesty International, have urged the DRC and Rwanda to refrain from escalating tensions further. “The international community must take stronger action to bring about accountability for the ongoing violence and human rights abuses in eastern DRC,” said Amnesty International in a statement.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The situation in Goma highlights the worsening humanitarian crisis in the DRC’s eastern provinces. According to the United Nations, over 5.7 million people have been displaced across the country, Clashes Kill 17 with many fleeing to urban centers like Goma in search of safety. The current clashes have only exacerbated this displacement, as thousands of residents were seen fleeing their homes with little more than what they could carry.
“I have been displaced three times already in the past year,” said Marie Shukuru, a mother of four who was forced to leave her home in the Buhene neighborhood on the outskirts of Goma. “Every time there is fighting, we lose everything and start over. There is no peace here.”
Aid organizations operating in the region warn of an impending humanitarian catastrophe, with food, water, and medical supplies in short supply. Refugee camps around Goma are overcrowded and under-resourced, Clashes Kill 17 leaving vulnerable populations, especially women and children, at great risk of disease and exploitation.
The World Food Program (WFP) has called for urgent international support to assist the displaced population, warning that hunger and malnutrition levels are rising alarmingly. “The fighting has disrupted supply chains, leaving many without access to basic necessities,” said a WFP official.
What Does This Mean for the Region?
The ongoing violence in Goma reflects the broader instability in the Great Lakes region, which has long been plagued by ethnic tensions, power struggles, and competition over natural resources. Experts fear that continued clashes between Congolese forces and pro-Rwandan groups like M23 could spark a wider regional conflict involving other neighboring countries, including Uganda and Burundi.
In the past, Uganda and Rwanda have played key roles in the eastern DRC’s conflicts, Clashes Kill 17 backing various armed groups to assert their influence. A recent increase in the deployment of regional forces by the EAC to stabilize the eastern DRC has failed to quell the violence, Clashes Kill 17 raising questions about the effectiveness of regional and international peacekeeping efforts.
“This is not just a Congolese problem; this is a regional problem,” said political analyst Jean-Pierre Mulenda. “Without concerted action from the international community to address the root causes of this conflict, Clashes Kill 17 including the role of neighboring states, we will continue to see Goma and the eastern DRC consumed by violence.”
Efforts Toward Peace and Stability
Despite the bleak situation, Clashes Kill 17 efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution continue. The EAC has called for the immediate resumption of peace talks between the DRC and Rwanda. A summit of EAC leaders is expected to take place in the coming weeks to address the crisis and push for the withdrawal of M23 forces from occupied territories.
MONUSCO has also vowed to increase its efforts to protect civilians in Goma, though its mission has faced criticism from locals for failing to effectively address the security crisis. “The DRC government and its regional partners must ensure that all parties to the conflict honor their commitments to peace,” Clashes Kill 17 said MONUSCO’s head, Bintou Keita.
The international community, including the United States, Clashes Kill 17 the European Union, and the United Nations, has urged both the DRC and Rwanda to prioritize dialogue over confrontation. However, many observers argue that addressing the underlying issues fueling the conflict—particularly disputes over resources and longstanding ethnic grievances—remains a formidable challenge. 
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Conclusion: A Cry for Peace
The deadly clashes in Goma and the deepening tensions between the DRC and Rwanda underscore the urgent need for lasting peace in the eastern DRC. As the death toll rises and civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, the world must step up its efforts to hold accountable those responsible for perpetuating violence and to foster stability in the region.
For the people of Goma and the broader Great Lakes region, peace remains elusive, but the cost of inaction is far too great. Without concrete steps to end the cycle of violence and address the root causes of the crisis, Clashes Kill 17 like Goma risk being engulfed by an unending storm of bloodshed and suffering. ALSO READ:- Baghpat At Least 5 Killed, 40 Injured as Makeshift Stage Collapses During Religious Event in Baghpat 2025