North Kivu is a province bordering Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The capital city is Goma.
Mount Nyiragongo, Virunga National Park—Mount Nyiragongo and Mountain Gorilla Treks, Nature and Wildlife Tours, are what visitors love about this region bordering Uganda in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
North Kivu is now turning into a war area, and visitors should immediately leave.
This region of Congo was promoted as a great place for tourists at the recently concluded FITUR travel trade show.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has noted with concern the recent attack on the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) on Wednesday, 22 January 2025, by the M23 armed group.
@eturbonews Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a famous travel destination for that region is under attack by M23 rebels and not safe to visit.#drcongo #travelnews ♬ original sound – TravelNewsGroup
SADC unequivocally condemns this act of aggression by the M23 operating in the Eastern DRC, adding that such actions undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace and security of the DRC and the SADC region.
The M23 rebellion started as an armed conflict in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), between the March 23 Movement and government forces between 4 April 2012 and 7 November 2013. It ended when a peace agreement was made among eleven African nations, and the M23 troops surrendered in Uganda. The rebellion was part of continued fighting in the region after the formal end of the Second Congo War in 2003. The conflict reignited in late 2021 after rebel “general” Sultani Makenga and 100 rebel fighters attacked the border town of Bunagana but failed. A few months later, with a much larger force, the rebels of the M23 movement renewed their attack and captured Bunagana.
This conflict seems to have sparked up again.
The pursuit of territorial expansion by M23 only exacerbates the already existing dire humanitarian and security situation in the Eastern DRC, which has left thousands of people dead and forced millions in North Kivu, particularly women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, to flee their homes.
The rebel group M23 attacked the SAMIDRC in Goma, to which SAMIDRC retaliated and successfully repelled the armed group. SADC commends the actions of the brave men and women from SAMIDRC who sacrificed their lives for the Region.
The airspace into Gomo, including the main gateway airport, is closed.
The actions of the M23 armed group contravenes the Nairobi Peace Process and is a clear violation of the agreed Ceasefire brokered through the Luanda Process led by His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola in his capacity as the African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa. We, therefore, call on all parties in the conflict to adhere to their obligations in the Ceasefire, calling for immediate cessation of hostilities and atrocities perpetrated by M23 as well as unconditional withdrawal from all occupied positions.
SADC further encourages all parties involved in the conflict in Eastern DRC to comply with the terms and conditions of the existing peace agreements and engage through dialogue for everlasting peace, security, and stability in the DRC and the region.
SADC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to continue supporting the DRC in its pursuit of safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and sustainable peace, security, and development. To this end, the SAMIDRC will remain resolute in supporting efforts to address the unstable and deteriorating security and humanitarian situation prevailing in the Eastern DRC.
We call upon the international community, including the United Nations, to join us in denouncing these unlawful actions by the M23. SADC Region reiterates its solidarity with the people of the DRC and commends them for resilience against brutal actions perpetrated by the M23 and other armed groups.
SADC wishes those who were injured a speedy recovery and sends its heartfelt condolences to the countries and families of the deceased.