M23 rebels seized Minova, a strategic town for accessing Goma, prompting mass displacement of residents. The group has captured several key towns, contributing to a growing humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo, with accusations of Rwandan support for the rebels. The instability continues to escalate, further displacing individuals in the region.
M23 rebels have captured the town of Minova in eastern Congo, which serves as a crucial supply route to the provincial capital, Goma. This takeover has triggered a mass exodus of residents as the rebel faction has recently claimed control of several strategic towns in the region, escalating tensions amidst their ongoing offensive.
The M23, or March 23 Movement, is a militant group primarily comprising ethnic Tutsis who separated from the Congolese military over a decade ago. The group gained notoriety in 2012 when they seized Goma, a vital city in North Kivu province near the Rwandan border. Over the years, they have been involved in a lengthy conflict in eastern Congo marked by the presence of approximately 100 armed groups battling for control of the region’s rich mineral resources.
The situation in eastern Congo remains precarious, with M23 rebels making notable advances. The capture of Minova highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis, with over 237,000 individuals displaced since January 2025. Continued conflict raises concerns, particularly with allegations of external support for M23 from neighboring Rwanda, which the latter has denied.
Original Source: halifax.citynews.ca
