DRC : living under M23

For over thirty years, the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – more than 2000 kilometers from the capital Kinshasa – has been ravaged by a conflict that has its roots in the Rwandan genocide. Since 2021, this conflict has intensified, reaching a critical point on January 27 this year, when the armed group, M23 (Mouvement du 23 mars), took control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu. The city, with a population of two million, was the scene of violent clashes between M23 and the Congolese army. According to the UN, M23 was supported by neighboring Rwanda, who sent 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers, while the Congolese army had the support of militias and mercenaries. Consolidating its control over North Kivu, M23 continued to advance southward, capturing Bukavu on February 16, 2025. Since then, it has continued to extend its control further.

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IDPs try to return to their home provinces from Goma, after the M23 ordered the camps to be dismantled. Many of them are unable to pay for transportation to go home and are forced to stay in Goma. DRC, February 8, 2025.

A family of IDPs in Mugunga camp. The fighting in recent months and years has led to the displacement of almost 650,000 people to unsanitary camps near the city of Goma. Mugunga camp, DRC, February 13, 2025.

Sifa (21 years old) is from Saké, which she fled because of the fighting. She has just given birth to a little boy and does not know where the father is. She has named him “War”, because “that’s all I’ve ever known.” Goma, DRC, February 26, 2025.

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