M23 rebels captured the city of 1.3 million people after it was abandoned by Congolese forces. Bukavu lies 101 kilometers south of Goma, which was captured by the rebels in late January. The M23 is the most prominent of more than 100 armed groups vying for control of eastern Congo's trillions of dollars in mineral wealth that's critical for much of the world's technology.

At the time, one of the worst reported atrocities of the conflict took place – when more than 150 women prisoners and their children were killed in Munzenze Prison - after an intense fire broke out. The UN says most of the women were probably subjected to sexual violence before they died.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday that about 1 million people have been displaced since the beginning of 2025 from Goma city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) seized by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels.

Defeated soldiers from the Southern Africa Development Community’s (SADC) peace mission were seen leaving Goma by road without their equipment or uniforms.

The crucial ferries were suspended for several days due to fierce fighting between the army and M23 rebels in the region.

The BBC meets residents of Goma following the rebel takeover and those being forced by the M23 to leave camps.

This insecurity extends to Goma itself, where there have been reports of crime and targeted violence, including home invasions and kidnappings. The UN peacekeeping mission for DRC, MONUSCO, has described the security situation in areas seized by M23 rebels as “unstable and highly unpredictable.

Passengers arriving from Bukavu disembark from the Emmanuel boat, on its first trip between Bukavu and Goma since the city was taken by M23 rebels, in Goma, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo February 18,

M23 seized Goma, the biggest city in eastern Congo, in late January and then took control of South Kivu provincial capital Bukavu over the weekend. "The Burundian troops are withdrawing from Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rwanda-backed rebels captured a key eastern Congo city a month ago Friday. Residents in Goma say they are struggling on various fronts even as the rebels try to consolidate their administration and restart normal life.

The latest conflict in eastern Congo has exposed endemic weaknesses in the country’s military, long known for corruption, extortion and abuse.