M23 rebels have reportedly launched new attacks this morning against the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the eastern region, despite a call for a ceasefire from African leaders. This escalation follows a brief two-day lull in hostilities.
The rebel fighters are said to have focused their efforts on areas near the village of Ihusi, located 40 kilometers from the strategic military airport in Kavumu and about 70 kilometers from Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province.
During a summit held last Saturday in Tanzania, African leaders urged for an immediate ceasefire in eastern DRC and expressed their dedication to achieving a lasting solution to the ongoing conflict. The summit, organized by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on February 8, 2025, aimed to address the escalating crisis in the region.
In their statement, the regional leaders also called for the restoration of supply routes within the DRC, as the March 23 Movement (M23) has been advancing toward Bukavu after establishing its administration in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province and a key regional hub.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the leaders directed the EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defense Forces to meet within five days to develop technical strategies for implementing an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The M23 rebels, who claim to defend ethnic Tutsis, began their advance into South Kivu following their takeover of Goma in a violent assault.
Food prices soar
A significant number of individuals in Goma may face extreme hunger due to escalating food prices and ongoing displacement, according to a warning from ActionAid International, a key player in humanitarian assistance.
According to their statement issued today February 12, 2025, the prices of essential items, including flour and oil, have skyrocketed, more than doubling in cost and making basic nutrition unattainable for many people.
They highlight that since January 25, prices for staples like flour, beans, and oil have surged between 18 and 160 percent.
The organization cautions that these rising costs are compelling families to reduce their meal intake, putting hundreds of thousands at risk of hunger and malnutrition.
A community volunteer from ActionAid in Goma, who wished to stay anonymous for safety reasons, expressed, “The cost of living has skyrocketed.”
He noted that a bucket of rice, which used to cost $20, now is at $23, and the price of large drinking water bottles has doubled from $1 to $2.
The volunteers from the organization highlighted that due to ongoing conflict, many individuals are unable to work, making it increasingly challenging to earn a living.
“Everyone is broke. Families who were living off $5 a day are now surviving on $2. That means if you were eating three times a day, now you can only eat once. We have to make sure we keep enough food because we don’t know how long this war is going to go on,” one of the volunteers revealed.
Yakubu Mohammed Saani, the Country Director for ActionAid in the DRC, highlighted that during the recent conflict, prices surged dramatically, with items that typically cost $2 skyrocketing to $6 due to disrupted food supplies.
He pointed out that while there has been a slight decrease in prices, they remain prohibitively high for many people.
Over 90% of Goma’s food is sourced from nearby areas like Masisi, Rutshuru, Lubero, Beni, and Nyiragongo.
However, Saani noted that the ongoing armed conflict has severed access to agricultural routes from the different regions, resulting in critical shortages and soaring prices.
According to the organisation, currently, around 25.5 million people in the DRC—approximately a quarter of the population are experiencing severe hunger, with 3.3 million on the brink of famine.
They reported that in Goma, hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals depend on humanitarian assistance, but escalating violence has led many organizations to halt their operations, leaving families without access to food, water, and other vital resources.
The organization cautioned that the worsening hunger crisis could have devastating effects on women and girls, especially those in displacement camps who lack income and are at heightened risk of exploitation and abuse, including being coerced into sex work for survival.
Saani further noted that the surge in prices is making food in Goma’s markets unaffordable for numerous families, especially those who have been displaced from their homes and are surviving on very little.
He noted that in a region already plagued by hunger and malnutrition, this situation could lead to catastrophic consequences.
He stressed that an immediate action is crucial to deliver aid swiftly, claiming that currently, efforts to provide assistance are being obstructed.
Saani urges all parties involved in the conflict to permit safe and unrestricted access for humanitarian organizations, to enable delivery of essential supplies including food, medicine, and shelter to those in dire need.
He said the international community must respond without delay to enhance support for the millions affected in the DRC.
