President Felix Tshisekedi cuts Davos’ short trip like M23 Advance

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo interrupted his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos while a deadly conflict intensified at home.

The fighting has intensified in the eastern region of Dr Congo since the beginning of the year, the M23 rebels supported by Rwanda taking control of more territory than ever.

More than 400,000 people have fled their homes since the start of this year while the M23 is advancing on the provincial capital of Goma, according to the United Nations.

President Felix Tshisekedi returned from Switzerland for urgent security meetings with senior officials.

In recent weeks, the M23 has captured the cities of Masisi and Minova in northern Kivu.

More than 200 civilians were killed in areas captured by the M23, local leaders said on Thursday.

And according to the United Nations, two children died after bombs fell on a camp for displaced people.

The fall of Goma – a city of more than a million which is near the border with Rwanda – would be a major coup for the rebels. They briefly resumed the city during a rebellion in 2012, but retired after the negotiation of an agreement.

Many roads leading to the city have now been blocked, arousing concerns that food supplies in the city could run out.

“The city of Goma is held in a vice, the city is stifled, there are no more entries, there are no more outings … This population suffers enormously,” said the chief of the Local Union Bahala Shamavu innocent at the BBC.

Hope Ngalukiye, member of the entire opposition party, for the Republic, is also concerned about access to food.

“In Goma, we are not safe for the real ones,” said Ngalukiye. “No one who lives in Goma can tell you that he is not afraid.”

On Thursday, the rebels captured the neighboring city of Saké, according to the United Nations, the United Kingdom and various other sources.

But the Congolese army said that it had rejected the attack on the sake, which is only 20 km (12 miles) from Goma.

Residents of the Saké and the wider area – many of which were already moved by the conflict – fled their houses.

People escape by transporting mattresses and other essential elements of this type on their backs, while dozens pile up in overcrowded wooden boats.

Thousands of panicked families fled to Goma, where hospitals were overwhelmed by injured civilians.

The M23 has taken control of large expanses from Dr Congo rich in minerals since 2021. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of people have been moved.

Last year, it was also feared that the rebels will grasp Goma. There was a lull in the fighting at the end of July, but heavy fights resumed in October and worsened towards the end of the year.

Dr. Congo and the UN say that the M23 is supported by Rwanda. Rwandan authorities do not confirm or deny it.

On Friday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that the current conflict risks turning into a wider regional war.

Mr. Guterres called on “all the actors to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo and to put an end to all forms of support for armed groups,” a statement said.