Over 2,000 bodies await burial in Goma after M23 rebel takeover

Humanitarian crisis worsens in eastern Congo as fighting leaves thousands dead and displaced.

A view of the Mugunga camps as some displaced people return home days after the M23 rebel group seized the town of Goma, near Goma, in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on February 3, 2025. Photo by Arlette Bashizi/Reuters

By Widya Putri and Clarisa Sendy

More than 2,000 bodies await burial in Goma following last week’s capture of the city by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, Democratic Republic of Congo’s communications minister Patrick Muyaya said late Monday. The rebel offensive has inflamed a decade-old conflict, worsening the humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo.

While a relative calm has returned to Goma after the rebel alliance—including M23—declared a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons starting Tuesday, sporadic gunfire and looting continue to be reported. The scale of civilian casualties is still emerging as overwhelmed hospitals struggle to treat the injured, and bodies remain in the streets.

"The number of bodies to be buried gives an overview of the massacres committed in the city," Muyaya said during a press briefing.

The deadly toll of conflict in eastern Congo

Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, sits at the heart of eastern Congo’s lucrative gold, coltan, and tin mining regions. The United Nations estimates that at least 900 people were killed and nearly 3,000 injured in the days of intense fighting that led up to the city’s capture.

M23 is the latest in a long history of Rwandan-backed rebel movements operating in Congo’s volatile eastern borderlands, a legacy of the region’s conflicts following Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. Although Rwanda has repeatedly denied supporting the heavily armed and well-trained Tutsi-led group, multiple U.N. reports have linked Kigali to M23’s resurgence.

Last month’s escalation in fighting has driven hundreds of thousands of Congolese civilians to seek refuge in Goma, adding further strain to the city’s limited resources. According to the U.N. World Food Programme, more than 700,000 people were displaced in Goma in January alone.

Human rights abuses and humanitarian concerns

The U.N. has accused both M23 rebels and the Congolese army of committing serious human rights violations, including summary executions and sexual violence. Neither group has responded to these allegations.

Meanwhile, aid groups are struggling to help local authorities manage the rising number of unburied bodies, which have overwhelmed hospital morgues and increased the risk of disease outbreaks.

Red Cross team members carry out the burial of victims of the fighting in Goma after the escalation of clashes between M23 rebels and the Congolese army at ITIG Cemetery in Goma, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, on February 3, 2025. Photo by Arlette Bashizi/Reuters

"The land where bodies can be buried in Goma is extremely limited," said Myriam Favier, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross sub-delegation in Goma. She added that power outages last week affected refrigeration at morgues, making it a "race against time" to identify bodies and prevent health hazards.

Bruno Lemarquis, the top U.N. humanitarian official in Congo, called on Tuesday for the urgent reopening of Goma’s airport to allow humanitarian flights to resume.

M23 rebels claim ceasefire, but doubts remain

Despite M23’s announcement of a ceasefire, doubts remain about the group’s true intentions. Some reports indicate that rebel fighters are moving toward Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, though M23 has denied any plans to capture the city.

Congo’s army spokesman, Sylvain Ekenge, expressed skepticism about the ceasefire. "They say one thing and always do the opposite," he told Reuters. "They call for a ceasefire to reorganize and reinforce their ranks."

The Congolese parliament and senate are set to hold a joint session on Tuesday to discuss the crisis, while leaders from eastern and southern Africa will meet in Tanzania later this week to address the ongoing conflict. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has confirmed his attendance, but it remains unclear whether Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi will participate.

Calls for international action grow louder

Goma’s capture has triggered widespread international condemnation and diplomatic efforts to address the crisis. However, Congo’s government has called for more concrete measures, including sanctions against Rwanda.

Muyaya on Monday urged stronger action against Kigali, accusing Rwanda of using M23 to exploit eastern Congo’s vast mineral wealth. Rwanda maintains that its actions in the region are driven by self-defense and the protection of ethnic Tutsis.

Denis Mukwege, the Congolese Nobel Peace Prize-winning gynecologist and human rights activist, criticized the international community for continuing to support Rwanda despite multiple U.N. reports detailing its role in eastern Congo’s conflicts and mineral smuggling.

"It is a policy of double standards," Mukwege said on X.

The future of Goma and eastern Congo

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the future of Goma remains uncertain. While the ceasefire has provided temporary relief, many fear that renewed fighting could erupt at any moment. With thousands dead, hundreds of thousands displaced, and diplomatic tensions rising, the situation in eastern Congo remains one of the most pressing conflicts in Africa today.

International observers continue to call for a negotiated settlement, but the long history of failed peace deals and continued violence raises doubts about the prospects for lasting stability in the region.