KIGALI, Rwanda

Rwanda said Sunday that it remained committed to the pursuit of a political solution to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where M23 rebels are battling government forces.

Th recent heavy fighting around the provincial capital Goma was triggered by constant violations of a cease-fire by the Congolese army and its coalition forces, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It noted that the fighting close to the Rwandan border continues to present a serious threat to Rwanda’s security and territorial integrity and necessitates its sustained defensive posture.

“Rwanda notes with concern the lack of important context in statements issued by various parties on the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Misguided or manipulative statements do not provide any solutions.”

During an emergency UN Security Council meeting Sunday, Kinshasa demanded the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory and the imposition of targeted sanctions against Rwandan officials involved.

Thousands of civilians continued to flee violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu region as clashes between M23 rebels and government forces intensified near Goma.

Sporadic gunfire was heard since Sunday morning in the Nyiragongo Territory, particularly in Munigi, bordering Goma, residents told Anadolu.

“Mass movements were observed on the Kihisi-Mutinga and Kihisi-Entre roads heading to safer places while others were headed to (bordering) Rwanda from Goma,” said one resident, who gave his name only as Pierre.

He added that several shops and stores remained closed in Goma as M23 rebels made rapid progress and threatened to encircle the city.

A local Rwandan official in the border district of Rubavu said they had not recorded any new refugees so far, but an influx of travelers from Goma had grown at the border.

The massive displacements particularly affect the localities of Bweremana, Minova and Kalungu, where people are fleeing the violence to find refuge in schools or reportedly safer areas, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Airspace over Goma closed

Bruno Lemarquis, the humanitarian coordinator in Congo, expressed deep concern over the intensification of the fighting around Goma and its growing impact on the civilian population.

“Since the new M23 offensives around the city of Goma on Jan. 23, 2025, several hundred thousand people have again been forced to flee the multiple areas of ongoing fighting, while the capacity to receive and assist people in need is already saturated,” he said in a statement.

“Some displaced people, already affected by previous crises, find themselves having to flee again,” he added.

As of Friday, Goma’s Ndosho General Hospital was treating more than 256 wounded, including 90 civilians, most with serious injuries from bullet and artillery fire, OCHA said, noting this far exceeded its capacity of 146 beds, despite reinforcements by humanitarian partners.

The M23 rebels on Sunday announced the closure of airspace over Goma, claiming the coalition forces supporting Congo’s Kinshasa government are using Goma Airport to load bombs.

The M23, allegedly backed by Rwanda, has intensified its offensive in eastern Congo, capturing key towns and advancing toward Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has repeatedly denied claims of supporting the rebels.

Matthew Saltmarsh, spokesman for the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, told reporters Friday that the number of people displaced by fighting has now surged to more than 400,000 this year alone.