Update February 24, 2025
The situation in eastern Congo remains deeply concerning. After taking control of Bukavu, M23 has continued its advance towards the border of Uvira, where the Congolese army (FARDC) and Burundian troops have so far managed to keep them out of the city. At the same time, M23 is also moving northward toward Lubero in North Kivu. The UN has called for a ceasefire, while tensions are rising in neighboring Burundi, fueled by the election period and the impact of the conflict on its citizens. Many Congolese refugees have been forced out of hotels and placed in camps or sent back to the DRC.
Meanwhile, chaos and uncertainty prevail in Uvira and surrounding areas, where clashes between the Congolese army and the pro-government Wazalendo militia have led to looting, violence, and human rights violations. Reports indicate indiscriminate gunfire, sexual violence, and robberies, while public institutions and shops have been destroyed. The Uvira prison has been emptied, further escalating the situation in the city. Many residents have fled to Kalemie or Burundi. Women and children remain particularly vulnerable in this crisis.
In this unstable context, our partners are struggling to move safely; security remains the top priority. Together, we are reassessing our strategies and activities for 2025 to determine how we can best contribute to peace in this unpredictable situation.
4 February, 2025
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the rebel group M23 has taken control of large parts of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, over the past week. The situation escalated rapidly, with heavy fighting and bombings in the city, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and thousands of people fleeing. Mensen met een Missie closely collaborates with organizations in the DRC through the Women, Peace & Security programme and The Peace Project, which was recently launched. Our partner organizations in Goma have been directly affected, while partners in other cities are increasingly concerned.
An uncertain and dangerous situation
Léa Darvey, programme manager DRC & Burundi at Mensen met een Missie, is in direct contact with Congolese partners. Due to power and internet outages, it was impossible to reach our local coordinator and partners since last Monday morning. Communication was only restored yesterday. According to Léa, the situation remains extremely alarming:
“Our partners in Goma spent a week in isolation without electricity, water, or internet. They couldn’t go outside while hearing gunfire and explosions in their neighborhoods. Fortunately, they are safe, but even with the ceasefire that was declared today, the uncertainty and fear remain overwhelming.”
Besides the immediate physical dangers, a growing humanitarian crisis is unfolding. Houses have been destroyed or taken over by rebels, many people have been killed or displaced, and with the blockade of the main supply route, a food shortage is imminent. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, with reports of violence and sexual abuse increasing.
The impact on our partners in Goma
Due to the current situation, programme activities in Goma and surrounding areas have been suspended. Work has also been halted in Masisi (North Kivu) and Kahele (South Kivu). While we are closely monitoring developments, making predictions remains difficult.
Léa: “Our response is day by day. We maintain close contact with our partners, but M23’s intentions remain unpredictable. Our priority is to support our partners in any way we can. In the coming period, we will continue to monitor the situation and collaborate with local partners to support them where needed.”