M23 rebels, DRC govt trade blame over Goma clashes that left over 50 dead

KINSHASA, DR Congo

The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government are trading accusations following deadly clashes in Goma City that left more than 50 people dead.

The fighting, which took place in the Keshero and Lac Vert neighborhoods, triggered widespread panic as residents described a relentless exchange of gunfire between armed groups.

On Saturday night, Luko Shabani Bihango, the DRC Minister for Security and Interior, issued a statement confirming that 52 people had died in the clashes. Among the dead, he said, was a patient at Kyeshero hospital, which is managed by the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières).

Bihango accused M23 rebels of launching unprovoked attacks that led to the bloodshed. However, on Sunday, Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the M23, issued a counter-statement dismissing the government’s claims.

He instead blamed soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and their coalition militia allies, the Wazalendo, for initiating the offensive. Kanyuka claimed that M23 forces had successfully repelled the attacks, which he said violated existing ceasefire agreements.

He further accused the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) of siding with FARDC and Wazalendo in the offensive, warning that M23 would now demand the mission’s immediate withdrawal.

“These attacks undermine the peace process and delay the rehabilitation of Goma International Airport,” said Kanyuka.

He added that the attacks complicate M23’s demand for the immediate surrender of FARDC soldiers allegedly stationed within MONUSCO (United Nations peacekeeping mission) bases in Goma and surrounding areas.

Since the M23 insurgency resumed in 2022 under the leadership of Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, the DRC government has repeatedly accused neighboring Rwanda of backing the rebel group—a claim that both Rwanda and M23 continue to deny.

The M23 insists its struggle is aimed at fighting corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the Congolese government.