GNV News, January 29, 2025
In eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), since January 2025 fighting between the national army and the M23 rebel group, said to be backed by Rwanda, has intensified, and it has emerged that the strategic stronghold of Goma has fallen to M23. Goma is a hub for trade and humanitarian operations, with the airport in particular being key to the transport of supplies. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that thousands of Rwandan troops have entered the DRC, and UN Secretary‑General António Guterres called on Rwanda to withdraw its forces from Congolese territory and urged M23 to halt its advance.
The fighting has worsened the humanitarian situation, with more than 2 million civilians in Goma facing devastating impacts, and 1 million of them already forced to flee. At least 13 UN peacekeepers have also been killed. Power and water supplies have been cut off in many parts of the city, reports of sexual violence have been made, and hospitals have been pushed to the brink.
Eastern Congo has abundant mineral resources (gold, tin, tantalum, etc.), and other regions are also rich in cobalt, copper, and diamonds; nationwide, their value is estimated at US$24 trillion. There are also accusations by critics that M23 and the Rwandan government are seeking to secure political and economic influence by plundering these mineral resources.
Learn more about the challenges facing the Democratic Republic of the Congo → “The problems are vast and media coverage is limited: Democratic Republic of the Congo”
Learn more about the conflict and issues surrounding mineral resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo → “A tragedy unknown to the world: Democratic Republic of the Congo”
A rapid reaction force training in North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Photo: MONUSCO Photos / Flickr [CC BY-SA 2.0])
報道されないコンゴ民主共和国の紛争、こんなことになっているなんて…。
これまでどれほどの方達が命を落としてきたのか、今どれほどの方達が命の危機に晒されているのか、考えるだけで胸が張り裂けそうです。このニュースが大きく報道され、十分な人道支援が集まるきっかけになることを願うばかりです。
世界の重要な出来事を取り上げてくれてありがとうございます。