Anti-Rwandan demonstrations erupted in Kinshasa on Tuesday morning as rebel forces continued their confrontation with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) military in the strategically important eastern city of Goma.
Demonstrators waved Congolese flags and expressed their support for President Felix Tshisekedi, setting tires ablaze and obstructing roads in the capital, located thousands of kilometers from Goma.
The DRC government, along with several foreign nations, accuses Rwandan troops of being present in Congo, alongside the Rwandan-supported M23 rebels, who assert they have seized control of the vital city.
Protester Jeanine Ngalula directly addressed Rwandan President Paul Kagame, stating, “If Kagame comes to Kinshasa and attempts to replace President Tshisekedi, he will find it impossible to govern. Congo belongs to us, the land of our forebears.”
The M23 briefly captured Goma in 2012 during a failed uprising against the Congolese government and renewed their offensive in 2022. Protester Eric Boyololo expressed his frustration with ongoing calls for dialogue, asserting, “No more discussions; we must take up arms. Dialogue is no longer an option in this country. We are determined to confront the enemy.”
Residents of Goma reported hearing gunfire throughout the night in the city of two million, which the rebels claimed to have taken control of on Monday. Explosions and gunfire were also reported near the now-closed Goma airport.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced on the social media platform X that he had discussed the necessity of a ceasefire with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a phone conversation. However, he did not suggest that he would comply with requests to withdraw from the city.
Goma serves as a crucial trade and humanitarian center, accommodating hundreds of thousands of the over six million individuals displaced by the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.
The M23 rebels are among approximately 100 armed factions competing for influence in this mineral-rich area. The extent of the rebels’ control over Goma remains uncertain.
