Following heavy losses and the loss of control over Goma, soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have begun fleeing to Rwanda. This mass exodus comes after prolonged battles against the M23 rebel group, which has been gaining ground in the region.
On the evening of Sunday,
January 26, 2025, M23’s spokesperson announced that all FARDC soldiers and
their allies must surrender their weapons by 3:00 AM on Monday and report to
Stade de l'Unité. The group warned that any resistance would be met with force.
While some FARDC soldiers
complied and surrendered at the stadium, others opted to flee across the border
into Rwanda via the Grande Barriere. This crossing has also been used by
civilians seeking refuge from the escalating conflict.
Footage from Rwanda
Broadcasting Agency (RBA) shows fleeing soldiers being searched and stripped of
their weapons before being allowed entry into Rwanda. The images depict a
chaotic scene as the Congolese military's retreat continues.
With Goma now fully under
M23 control, FARDC troops have few options left. The city has been surrounded,
its airspace closed, and both water and land escape routes blocked, leaving
surrender or escape as their only choices.
The situation remains
fluid, with uncertainty looming over what comes next for both the displaced
soldiers and the volatile security situation in eastern DRC.
Congo soldiers flee to
Rwanda / Photo: RBA
Some weapons were
confiscated
They were searched before
entry
Kin
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