M23 Rebels Seize New Town, Advance Closer to Goma

M23 rebels have captured another town in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, moving dangerously closer to the strategic city of Goma, raising fears of further conflict.

According to authorities, the M23 rebels have captured Minova, a strategically important town in eastern Congo that serves as a key supply route for Goma, the provincial capital. This development has sparked a mass exodus of residents amid an ongoing offensive by the rebel group, which has seized several strategic towns over recent weeks.

Jean-Jacques Purusi, the provincial governor of South Kivu, announced that Minova has been captured. Additionally, he stated that the rebels have seized control of the mining towns Lumbishi, Numbi, and Shanje within the same province as well as Bweremana in neighboring North Kivu province.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Congo’s military reported that the rebels achieved “breakthroughs” in Minova and Bweremana. However, it did not verify whether M23 had taken control of these towns.

M23, known as the March 23 Movement, is a militant group consisting of ethnic Tutsis who split from the Congolese army slightly over ten years ago. The group gained significant attention in 2012 when its fighters captured Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo and the capital of North Kivu province, located on the border with Rwanda.

M23 is among approximately 100 armed groups competing for control in the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo, fueling a conflict that has persisted for decades and resulted in one of the world’s most significant humanitarian crises. Over 7 million people have been displaced as a result.

Congo, the United States, and U.N. experts have accused neighboring Rwanda of supporting M23; however, Rwanda denies these allegations.

In recent weeks, M23 has made notable progress in eastern Congo. Earlier this month, the rebels seized control of Masisi—a crucial mining town and an important supply route for Goma—in North Kivu.

Minova is a key port located on the shores of Lake Kivu, serving as a crucial transit hub for agricultural products en route to Goma, approximately 28 miles (45 kilometers) away.

According to a report released on Monday by the United Nations refugee agency, over 237,000 individuals have been displaced due to ongoing conflicts in eastern Congo since the start of this year.