Author: Blene Woldeselasse, MSc
January 31, 2025
![A UN armored personnel carrier burns during clashes with M23 rebels outside Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jan 25, 2025. [Image credit: AP]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_6d836e59136c46ea8c7a3d472b235d79~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/e28a6b_6d836e59136c46ea8c7a3d472b235d79~mv2.png)
Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has become the latest flashpoint in the long-running conflict between government forces and rebel groups. On Monday, the M23 rebel group—one of the most prominent armed factions in the region—seized control of the city, marking a significant escalation in the crisis.
This development delivers a severe blow to humanitarian efforts, as Goma serves as a crucial hub for security operations and aid distribution. The city housed peacekeepers from both the African Union and the United Nations, as well as thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who had fled violence in other provinces in search of refuge.
The M23 offensive came just 48 hours after the group demanded that the Congolese army surrender its weapons. In response, thousands of residents, fearing further bloodshed, fled their homes with only what they could carry.
With a population of 2 million, Goma’s fall further destabilizes an already fragile region, raising concerns that this decade-old conflict could ignite a broader regional war. The United Nations estimates that 400,000 people were displaced in the first weeks of this year alone—a figure that doubled within just one week as fighting intensified.
IDPs Caught in a Cycle of Violence
The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre ranks the DRC as the African country most affected by internal displacement due to conflict and violence over the past 15 years, and among the most affected globally. Displacement in the DRC is a cyclical tragedy for civilians, who often move from one conflict zone to another in search of safety and humanitarian aid. Displacement sites themselves are not immune to bombardment, putting already vulnerable populations at further risk.
Under International Humanitarian Law, IDPs are entitled to the same rights as other civilians but their access to safety, shelter, and assistance remains severely limited. According to the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement—particularly Principles 10-23—they have the right to humanitarian assistance, protection from harm, access to education, freedom of movement, and political participation. However, unlike refugees, IDPs lack specific legal protections under international law, making them even more vulnerable.
Women and children make up the majority of IDPs, often facing severe deprivation of basic human needs such as shelter, food, and healthcare. Many also fall victim to sexual violence, physical abuse, and psychological trauma. Reports from the UNHCR highlight widespread human rights abuses, including looting, murders, kidnappings, and arbitrary arrests, underscoring the dire humanitarian situation in the DRC.
The Path Forward: Urgent Action Needed to Prevent Further Crisis
The conflict in the DRC, rooted in disputes over natural resources, colonial legacies, and power struggles, represents one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. While the situation is complex, it is not one without hope.
To prevent further suffering, all parties involved in the conflict must commit to protecting civilians and refrain from attacking IDP camps. Heavy fighting in populated areas must be avoided, and humanitarian aid organizations must be granted safe and unrestricted access to provide life-saving assistance. Easing road access and removing barriers to aid delivery will be critical in addressing the needs of displaced populations and preventing further atrocities.
The DRC’s vast natural resources fuel global industries, yet the humanitarian crisis within its borders remains largely overlooked. The international community must give this crisis the attention it demands.
The world cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the suffering in the DRC—urgent action is needed now.
Glossary
Arbitrary Arrests: Detaining individuals without legal justification or due process, often as a tool of repression.
Colonial Legacy: The enduring political, economic, and social impacts of colonial rule on formerly colonized nations.
Deprivation: A lack of basic necessities like food, shelter, or healthcare, leading to hardship.
Internally Displaced People (IDPs): Those forced to flee their homes due to crises but remain within their country’s borders.
Looting: The theft of goods, often during conflict, unrest, or disaster.
Psychological Trauma: Emotional distress from severe events, potentially leading to long-term mental health issues.
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