NEWS- The Alliance Fleuve/M23 Rebels have announced that they have closed the Airspace over Goma City amidst tension of continued heavy fighting between the Democratic Republic of Congo Government Forces supported by Peacekeepers and the rebels.
According to an official communique dated January 26th 2025 and signed by the M23 Communications Focal Point Officer Lawrence Kanyuka from his tactical base at Kibumba, the coalition forces supporting the Kinshasa Regime have been accused of using Goma Airport to load bombs that are being used to kill the civilian population.
“AFC/M23 calls on all foreign armed forces present in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the Burundi National Defense Forces (FDNB) the South African Army (SAMIDRC), Private Military Companies (PMC) and Ajemira to immediately stop killing our people and leave the Congolese Soil” the M23 statement indicated without giving a date for deadline.
Meanwhile tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have erupted at a United Nations Security Council emergency meeting today Sunday afternoon, as Ambassadors from both nations exchanged sharp accusations over the escalating conflict in North Kivu, where M23 rebels continue to advance and disrupt the region’s stability.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to the UN, Ernest Rwamucyo accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of escalating militarization and relying on external actors instead of addressing the conflict’s root causes.
Rwamucyo said that the recent militarization of the Democratic Republic of Congo represents an unprecedented security threat to Rwanda and referred the presence of Congolese Forces and foreign mercenaries as unacceptable.
Rwamucyo also criticized MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, for allegedly overstepping its mandate.
“MONUSCO is now going beyond its mandate, providing support to mercenaries, and being drawn into a conflict in violation of laws against supporting armed groups,” Rwamucyo said.
Ambassador Rwamucyo emphasized Rwanda’s commitment to peace but underscored the need for the Democratic Republic of Congo to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis in their country.
“We are committed to a peaceful solution, but the DRC cannot outsource efforts to end this conflict.” Rwamucyo said.
Additionally, Rwamucyo blamed the international community for failing to address the root causes of the conflict, urging global actors to contribute practical solutions to the long-standing tensions in the region.
The Democratic Republic of Congo Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister Ms Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner accused Rwanda of orchestrating aggression against her country, describing it as a brutality that has pushed the region to the brink of a humanitarian disaster.
“Each minute that is passing without decisive action by this Council is a victory for the aggressor and the world is watching. It’s time to act.” Kayikwamba declared.
Minister Kayikwamba strongly accused Rwanda Defense Forces of violating the ceasefire agreement, escalating attacks, blocking roads, disrupting civilian and humanitarian flights and targeting camps for displaced persons in Goma.
She also alleged that the Government of Rwanda is undermining the Luanda Process, an African Union-backed peace initiative, while plundering Congolese minerals and attacking civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian workers.
Kayikwamba called for immediate UN Security Council action and demanded sanctions against Rwanda, the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory, and an embargo on minerals falsely labeled as Rwandan and also urged the Council to establish mechanisms to address arms transfers to Rwanda and remove the country from the list of UN troop-contributing nations.
The diplomatic exchange comes at a time when violence has intensified in North Kivu, where renewed M23 offensives have displaced hundreds of thousands of civilian population.
It is reported that the displacement sites around Goma, which previously hosted over 300,000 people, have been emptied within hours as fighting approaches densely populated areas and Hospitals in the city are overwhelmed, while humanitarian operations are stretched thin.
MONUSCO Chief, Ms Bintou Keita warned the Security Council that the peacekeeping mission is now trapped and unable to contain the conflict without urgent international support saying that they need decisive action to prevent further catastrophe.
While the Government of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo urged the Security Council to act, their demands differ because Rwanda’s Ambassador Rwamucyo, called for de-escalation and a focus on addressing the root causes of the conflict, while the Democratic Republic of Congo Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms Kayikwamba pushed for stronger measures to hold Rwanda accountable, including sanctions and military restrictions.
As the humanitarian toll grows and accusations of external interference mount, the United Nations Security Council faces mounting pressure to make a decision to intervene decisively.
With North Kivu on the brink of collapse and relations between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Government of Rwanda at their lowest point, the coming days will test whether the international community can chart a path toward peace or if the region will descend further into chaos.
