The rebel administration of the March 23 Movement (M23) in Goma, northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has ordered the forced dismantling of displacement camps outside the city, pushing thousands of refugees to return home despite ongoing humanitarian concerns.

The Congo River Alliance (AFC-M23), the rebel-led coalition that now governs Goma, issued a 72-hour ultimatum for displaced people in Kanyaruchinya and Bulengo to vacate their shelters, a local humanitarian NGO confirmed on Tuesday.

According to De Paul Bukulu, a volunteer with Adif, those in Kanyaruchinya have already left, and their camp has been demolished, but many in Bulengo are resisting.

“They say they have nowhere to go. Their homes, businesses, and farms have been destroyed by the conflict. Everything is gone,” Bukulu explained.

The AFC-M23 argues that the order is justified, claiming that there is no longer active fighting requiring people to remain displaced.

“This is meant to be a victory statement: ‘The war is over, we are in control. Now, return home,’” Bukulu said.

However, he criticized the rebels for failing to provide any humanitarian aid, financial support, or tools to help displaced families rebuild their lives.

UN Condemns Forced Returns, Warns of Further Displacement

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has expressed deep concern, calling the situation a forced return leading to further displacement.

“We are in contact with local authorities to find a way to ease the suffering of these displaced people,” said Bounena Sidi Mohamed, OCHA’s deputy director in Goma.
“But right now, the conditions for a safe return are simply not there.”

He further revealed that as desperation grows, displaced populations have begun looting humanitarian warehouses in search of food and supplies.

M23’s Control Over Goma Sparks Fears of Renewed Conflict

M23 rebels captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, on January 27, following fierce clashes with the Congolese Army (FARDC). According to OCHA reports, the battle for the city left nearly 3,000 dead and 2,900 injured.

The violence has displaced an estimated 700,000 people since the start of the year, adding to the 6.3 million already internally displaced within DRC, making it one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

In a bid to de-escalate tensions, East and Southern African leaders convened in Tanzania last weekend, instructing military officials to develop a technical roadmap for an immediate ceasefire within five days.

A History of Instability

The M23 movement, backed by Rwanda, first took control of Goma in 2012, before withdrawing under international pressure. It resurfaced in 2021, launching a rapid offensive against FARDC that has steadily expanded across North Kivu.

Despite the presence of the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, the eastern DRC has been mired in conflict since 1998, fueled by rebel groups, ethnic militias, and military factions.

With M23 tightening its grip on Goma, the fate of thousands of displaced Congolese remains uncertain.

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