M23 vows to march on to Kinshasa after seizing most of Goma
The group's capture of most of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, marks a major escalation in a region long plagued by conflict involving multiple armed groups.
The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group has vowed to continue its offensive toward Kinshasa after making significant territorial gains in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The group's capture of most of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, marks a major escalation in a region long plagued by conflict involving multiple armed groups. M23 leader Corneille Nangaa reaffirmed the group’s commitment to its cause during a press conference in Goma on Thursday.
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“We will continue the march of liberation all the way to Kinshasa,” Nangaa declared. “We are in Goma, and we will not leave… for as long as the questions for which we took up arms have not been answered.”
Nangaa further promised to restore essential services in the city, including electricity and security, in the coming days. He also announced plans to establish humanitarian corridors to assist displaced civilians in returning home.
Since the fighting began, the city has been cut off from electricity and water, and food is in scarce supply as over 500,000 people have been displaced, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis, according to the UN.
AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa has asserted that his forces will not retreat, emphasising their Congolese identity and commitment to their cause. He declared that the march toward Kinshasa would continue.
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) January 30, 2025
Nangaa: “We are in Goma to stay. We are Congolese. We shall continue the… pic.twitter.com/vCcg8xrtC2
This comes even as Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi pledged to restore government control in the east, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized Goma and are reportedly advancing south.
In a televised address, Tshisekedi announced a "vigorous and coordinated response" against what he described as "terrorists." He also condemned the international community for its "inaction," accusing it of failing to address the escalating security crisis.
The weeks-long rebel offensive has raised alarms over an impending humanitarian disaster and intensified global pressure to halt the violence.
Calling for national unity, Tshisekedi urged all Congolese to support the army’s efforts to reclaim lost territory.
"The Democratic Republic of Congo will not be humiliated or crushed. We will fight, and we will triumph," he declared.
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