Mass displacement as fighting escalates in DR Congo's North Kivu
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) North Kivu region is witnessing a surge in fighting, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes.
The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, one of the region's most powerful armed factions, has almost completely encircled the provincial capital, Goma, triggering widespread panic and displacement.
"People are fleeing everywhere," says Alice Feza, a displaced woman seeking refuge. "We’ve been hearing shots and blasts all night."
Feza, who has already fled multiple times from conflict zones in Kiwanja, Rutshuru, and Kibumba, expressed her exhaustion and despair. "If the situation deteriorates further, I’m not going to flee again. I’m tired of running. We thought we could find safety in Goma, but even here, people are fleeing. The roads are closed, and crossing the lake isn’t safe either. We have nowhere to go."
Many displaced individuals, like Feza, face an uncertain future, with limited access to safe shelters and essential services. "We’re suffering a lot," she said. "This war keeps catching up with us, and now we have nowhere left to turn."
North and South Kivu provinces, rich in minerals, have been plagued by violence for over three decades. Since 2021, the M23 rebels have seized significant territories, intensifying the humanitarian crisis in the region. The ongoing conflict has displaced thousands and left communities struggling for survival.
Efforts to ease tensions hit a roadblock in December when peace talks between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi were cancelled. Since then, the M23 rebels have made steady advances toward Goma, a strategic city with over a million residents.
