The United Nations (UN) mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has activated Operation Springbok III in response to the advance of M23 rebels on the North Kivu capital, Goma. The operation, led by UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ Special Representative, Bintou Keita, involves two battalions, a Special Forces platoon, and an artillery battery as part of a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to counter the offensive.
Escalating Conflict and Strategic Movements
Roads are blocked, and the airport is no longer accessible for evacuation or humanitarian efforts, as M23 rebels have declared the airspace over Goma “closed.” The rebel group has expanded its control in North Kivu and extended its advance into South Kivu, where MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission, had withdrawn in June 2024. Reinforcements and supplies have bolstered M23 positions south and north of Goma, with significant deployments near Sake, 25 km west of Goma, and Munigi, nine km north of Goma.
Operation Springbok III Activation
To protect civilians and counter the M23 advance, MONUSCO has activated Operation Springbok III, reinforcing its positions with a rapid deployment battalion, reserve battalion, QRF, Special Forces platoon, and artillery battery. The use of artillery will be carefully calibrated to avoid civilian harm and damage to facilities.
Non-essential UN personnel have been temporarily relocated for safety, while those remaining in Goma will continue essential UN operations. The relocation does not affect the UN’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid and protecting civilians in North Kivu.
Increasing Challenges and Technological Threats
The M23 advance has intensified GPS jamming and spoofing incidents, which hinder MONUSCO’s efforts. To address this, MONUSCO is prepared to support a DRC complaint to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Keita emphasized the importance of MONUSCO’s robust posture in support of the Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC) and the Southern African Development Community Mission in DRC (SAMIDRC) in countering misinformation. She also highlighted a troubling rise in targeted hate speech led by M23-affiliated online campaigners.
Recent Developments and International Response
On Monday, M23 claimed to have captured Goma, giving the FARDC 48 hours to surrender their weapons over the weekend and urging civilians to remain calm. Videos showed heavily armed men, believed to be M23 fighters, in Goma’s northern suburbs.
Reports indicate exchanges of fire between Rwandan and FARC troops across the border, with the DRC accusing Rwanda of sending over a thousand troops to support the rebels. Rwanda denies backing the rebels but maintains a defensive posture, citing national security threats. The DRC government labeled Rwanda’s support for the rebels as a “declaration of war.”
South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Mathu Joyini, called on the Rwanda Defence Forces to cease support for M23 and for the rebel group to halt all hostilities and withdraw from occupied areas.
Casualties and Condemnation
At least 13 soldiers serving with peacekeeping forces in the DRC were killed by M23 rebels after two days of fierce fighting, including 13 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) serving with MONUSCO and SAMIDRC.
“We deplore these unwarranted attacks against MONUSCO and SAMIDRC personnel who are deployed to promote peace, security, and stability in eastern DRC and the broader African continent,” said Ambassador Joyini.
