Thirteen soldiers died in clashes with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The soldiers were part of peacekeeping forces. Nine South African soldiers died helping push back a rebel advance on Goma. Three Malawians and a Uruguayan also died.
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to the leaders of DR Congo and Rwanda. He called for an end to the violence. The UN is pulling non-essential staff out of Goma as fighting intensifies.
The UN Security Council meeting about the clashes was moved to Sunday. It was originally set for Monday. The M23 group called on Congolese troops in Goma to surrender. DR Congo severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda. It accused Rwanda of being behind the rebellion.
M23 fighters killed a Congolese military governor on Thursday. Earlier in January, they captured key eastern Congolese towns. The EU's foreign policy chief condemned Rwanda's support for M23. Angolan President Joao Lourenco also denounced M23's actions.
Fighting between M23 and DR Congo's army has intensified since the start of the year. The conflict has led more than 400,000 people to flee their homes. Local leaders said more than 200 civilians had been killed in areas captured by M23.
Several countries have urged their citizens to leave Goma. Human Rights Watch warned of escalating risks to civilians. The UN said the conflict is worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
M23 has taken control of mineral-rich areas in eastern DR Congo since 2021. DR Congo and the UN say Rwanda backs M23. Rwanda has not confirmed or denied this. Rwanda said DR Congo authorities were working with those responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
M23 was formed in 2012 to protect the Tutsi population in eastern DR Congo. Critics accuse Rwanda of using M23 to loot minerals from the region.
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to the leaders of DR Congo and Rwanda. He called for an end to the violence. The UN is pulling non-essential staff out of Goma as fighting intensifies.
The UN Security Council meeting about the clashes was moved to Sunday. It was originally set for Monday. The M23 group called on Congolese troops in Goma to surrender. DR Congo severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda. It accused Rwanda of being behind the rebellion.
M23 fighters killed a Congolese military governor on Thursday. Earlier in January, they captured key eastern Congolese towns. The EU's foreign policy chief condemned Rwanda's support for M23. Angolan President Joao Lourenco also denounced M23's actions.
Fighting between M23 and DR Congo's army has intensified since the start of the year. The conflict has led more than 400,000 people to flee their homes. Local leaders said more than 200 civilians had been killed in areas captured by M23.
Several countries have urged their citizens to leave Goma. Human Rights Watch warned of escalating risks to civilians. The UN said the conflict is worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
M23 has taken control of mineral-rich areas in eastern DR Congo since 2021. DR Congo and the UN say Rwanda backs M23. Rwanda has not confirmed or denied this. Rwanda said DR Congo authorities were working with those responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
M23 was formed in 2012 to protect the Tutsi population in eastern DR Congo. Critics accuse Rwanda of using M23 to loot minerals from the region.
