The M23 rebel group has accused MONUSCO of harboring senior FARDC officers and supplying hundreds of government soldiers with logistical support inside its Goma base, heightening tensions in the already volatile city.
According to M23, Lt. Colonel Ndjike Kaiko, spokesperson for FARDC’s 34th military region, is among those hiding inside the UN facility, alongside three generals, 12 colonels, and over 3,900 soldiers. The rebel group alleges that these officers—who have long vilified M23 as “terrorists” and “criminals”—are now using MONUSCO’s protection to evade capture.
A source told Kivu Today on Wednesday that MONUSCO is actively providing supplies to hundreds of FARDC soldiers inside its base. The source warned that the increasing military activity around the compound has made the city uneasy and could lead to a deadly confrontation between FARDC and M23, given that the troops being sheltered are armed and equipped by MONUSCO.
Beyond serving as a refuge, M23 claims that the MONUSCO base has become an auxiliary command center for FARDC’s military operations. The group accuses MONUSCO of not only shielding these officers but also enabling them to coordinate insurgent activities against M23-held areas.
This has sparked growing concerns among Goma residents, who fear the UN mission is playing a direct role in escalating the conflict rather than maintaining peace. With FARDC soldiers reportedly regrouping under MONUSCO’s watch and M23 maintaining its advances.
MONUSCO has yet to respond to these allegations, but its credibility continues to deteriorate as accusations of partiality mount. As pressure builds and the risk of armed confrontation rises, the fate of the FARDC officers inside the UN compound remains uncertain, further deepening instability in eastern DRC.
“Look there, look at how busy the city is. We are all working and back to normal life, but the presence of FARDC in MONUSCO bases is making the entire city very uncomfortable, they should either evacuate them far away from here or else we will witness M23 running over the bases. That will be a disaster,” says Makoma, a trader in Goma.