UN confirms Rwandan troops in Goma amid mounting humanitarian crisis
The United Nations (UN) has confirmed the presence of Rwandan troops supporting the M23 rebel group in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

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The United Nations (UN) has confirmed the presence of Rwandan troops supporting the M23 rebel group in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Chief of Peace Operations, disclosed this during a briefing on Monday, January 27, describing the situation as “volatile and dangerous.”
Lacroix condemned the killing of three MONUSCO peacekeepers—two South Africans and one Uruguayan—though he refrained from specifying whether the deaths were caused by M23 rebels or Rwandan troops. He emphasized that UN peacekeepers remain committed to their mandate despite the escalating violence. “The fate of the millions of civilians living in Goma or having been displaced is really the priority along with the safety and security of UN personnel,” Lacroix said.
The conflict has severely impacted MONUSCO operations, with some personnel forced to take shelter and non-essential staff evacuated from Goma. “This has limited their ability to have the full level of information that they would have gotten if they had not been sheltering,” Lacroix noted.
Bruno Lemarquis, UN Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator, painted a grim picture of the humanitarian crisis. He described the ongoing violence as exacerbating “one of the most protracted, complex, and serious humanitarian crises on Earth.”
“Civilians are taking the brunt of escalating hostilities with heavy artillery fire directed at the city centre, including a maternity hospital. Several shells struck the Charity Maternity Hospital in central Goma, killing and injuring civilians, including newborns and pregnant women,” Lemarquis revealed. Basic services such as water, electricity, and internet remain “severely disrupted.”
He urged immediate humanitarian pauses to ensure the safe evacuation of civilians and the delivery of aid. “We must act now to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of the people of Goma,” he said.
The UN reiterated its commitment to protecting civilians, disarming combatants, and maintaining international humanitarian law amid the unfolding crisis.