The United Nations Security Council met for the second time in three days on Tuesday to address the escalating crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have claimed control over parts of the regional capital, Goma.

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M23 Claims Control Over Goma Amidst Escalating Conflict in Eastern DRC

The situation on the ground remains volatile, with UN agencies reporting scenes of chaos, displacement, and mounting casualties. Thousands of civilians have fled since the rebels entered the city on Sunday, and those remaining face dire shortages of food, water, and electricity. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and reports of violence and looting continue to emerge.

At the Security Council, DRC Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner condemned Rwanda’s role in the offensive and called for immediate international action.

“Millions have been displaced. Thousands are trapped in the besieged city of Goma with restricted access to basic necessities. Countless lives have been lost,” Wagner said, demanding an end to what she described as Rwandan aggression.

She outlined five urgent measures the DRC expects from the international community, including:

1. The unconditional withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory.
2. Sanctions on the Rwandan Defence Force for its alleged role in destabilizing the region.
3. Suspension of Rwanda as a troop contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.
4. An embargo on Rwanda’s illicit exploitation of the DRC’s mineral resources, which Wagner said fuels the ongoing violence.
5. Enhanced international support for displaced Congolese civilians.

The calls for action come as the United States, United Kingdom, and France have condemned Rwanda for supporting the M23 rebellion, urging de-escalation.

As fighting intensifies, the U.S. has called on the Security Council to consider additional measures to halt the rebel advance and prevent further humanitarian catastrophe.

Meanwhile, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi has announced he will not attend an emergency summit of the East African Community scheduled for Wednesday in Nairobi, signaling a breakdown in regional diplomatic efforts.

The M23 rebels, one of nearly 100 armed groups operating in the mineral-rich North Kivu province, have long been accused of receiving direct support from Kigali. Rwanda, however, denies involvement.

With Goma serving as a key humanitarian and trade hub, the city’s fate remains uncertain as the crisis deepens, drawing further international scrutiny.

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