In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, rebels take over Goma. The testimony of AVSI

On January 27, rebels from the M23 military group took control of Goma. Lorenzo Timpone, head of mission for AVSI in the DRC, describes the situation in these days and the humanitarian efforts being carried out by AVSI.

The Invasion of Goma

On January 27, 2025, the city of Goma, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was taken over by rebels from the paramilitary organization M23. Within just a few days, the rebels managed to enter the city and seize control, aided by regular Rwandan troops from neighboring Rwanda. However, this was not an entirely unexpected event: Goma had already been surrounded by rebels for over a year.

“The southern part of the city is now calm and completely under M23 control, while in the north, groups of resistance remain, with small clashes in some neighborhoods. However, the overall situation is stabilizing,” said Lorenzo Timpone, head of mission for AVSI in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in an interview with Radio Popolare.

No escape

Currently, Goma is in a critical situation with no escape routes. To the south lies the lake, to the east is Rwanda, which has closed its borders, while the port and airport have been shut down. Timpone added: “We expect a tragic situation. It was already tragic before these clashes. Goma was the only area considered safe, where people sought refuge in North Kivu, a province almost entirely controlled by M23.”

A Region Rich in Natural Resources: Coltan, Tantalum, and Columbite

The region attracts interest from various actors due to its wealth of natural resources. It is estimated that around 50% of the world’s coltan, tantalum, and columbite, essential for the high-tech industry, come from this area, making the Democratic Republic of the Congo one of the richest countries in the world in terms of natural resources. Goma itself is surrounded by several mines.

“During a recent session of the United Nations Security Council, Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner revealed that extraction amounts to around 150 tons per week. There are private interests involved, but so many that they are difficult to track. We are talking about the production of microchips and other technological products, such as phones and computers,” Timpone explained to Il Sussidiario.

AVSI’s Humanitarian Efforts

Currently, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations are negotiating a humanitarian corridor to ensure the delivery of essential supplies to the population.

Despite the challenges, AVSI continues its work. International colleagues have been evacuated for safety reasons, but the local staff continues to operate under secure conditions. AVSI has been present in the country, particularly in Goma, since the early 2000s. Before the current crisis, North Kivu alone had more than 1.9 million internally displaced people.

The AVSI team focuses on emergency interventions related to education, offering training courses, school reintegration programs, and support for teachers. Additionally, they provide treatment for acute and moderate malnutrition, as well as projects for rural electrification and school reconstruction.

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