Urgent Appeal: Help CMM Save Lives in DR Congo
Background: What are the causes and recent history?
Goma, DR Congo-CMM Pastor Ruboneka Herbo is in touch almost daily. Last week 70 were killed by terrorists from Rwanda and 20 young boys beheaded. While this seems to be tribal, it is by violent Muslims from Rwanda wanting to conquer E. Congo seeking control of the mineral rich eastern region. Many thousands are displaced and violence in a war zone are daily. CMM sends funds for food, hospital visits, and transportation costs several times a month to keep Pastor Herbo and 5o orphans and caregivers alive and healthy.
Right now, the people of DR Congo are facing unimaginable violence and suffering. Armed conflict has forced thousands to flee their homes, leaving families without food, water, or medical care. Orphans and our Children are starving, hospitals are overwhelmed, and entire communities are on the brink of collapse. They need urgent help—now. CMM.world Rapid Response is on the ground, delivering emergency aid, food, clean water, and medical support to those caught in the crisis. We need your support to expand our reach and save more lives. https://donate.stripe.com/aEU6qQ5FS0LZeis7sY Every dollar you give provides lifesaving relief—feeding a hungry child, providing urgent medical care, and ensuring families find safety amidst the chaos. The situation worsens daily, and without immediate action, more innocent lives will be lost. Your donation today will bring hope, healing, and survival to the most vulnerable in DR Congo.
Goma, the bustling capital of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has long been a focal point of conflict and humanitarian crises. In recent months, the city and its surrounding regions have witnessed a surge in violence, marked by egregious human rights violations, targeted attacks on Christian communities, and incursions by marauding groups allegedly backed by neighboring Rwanda.
Escalation of Violence in Goma
Since January 2025, the resurgence of the March 23 Movement (M23), a rebel group with historical ties to Rwanda, has intensified hostilities in eastern DRC. The M23’s rapid advance has resulted in the capture of strategic locations, including the major cities of Goma and Bukavu. This offensive has precipitated a severe humanitarian crisis, with reports indicating approximately 7,000 fatalities and the displacement of around 450,000 individuals. Medical facilities in Goma are overwhelmed, struggling to manage the influx of wounded civilians.
The situation deteriorated further on February 27, 2025, when multiple explosions disrupted an M23-led rally in Bukavu, resulting in at least 11 deaths and 65 injuries. The attack, occurring during a mass gathering at Independence Square, has been labeled a terrorist act by DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, who attributes it to foreign intervention. This incident underscores the escalating tensions and the precarious security environment in the region.
Atrocities and Martyrdom of Christians
Amid the broader conflict, Christian communities in and around Goma have been subjected to targeted violence. On February 12, 2025, militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist group with affiliations to the Islamic State’s Central Africa Province, abducted over 70 Christian civilians from the village of Mayba in Lubero Territory. These individuals were taken to a Protestant church in Kasanga, where they were brutally executed by beheading. The massacre, discovered on February 14, highlights the perilous conditions faced by religious minorities in the region.
The ADF’s campaign of terror has disproportionately affected Christian populations, with reports of mass killings, abductions, and sexual violence. The group’s actions have decimated churches and instilled widespread fear among communities, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.
Origins of Marauders from Rwanda
The involvement of Rwandan-backed groups, particularly the M23, has been a significant factor in the destabilization of eastern DRC. The M23, primarily composed of Tutsi fighters, emerged from the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) and has a history of insurrection against the Congolese government. Despite official denials, substantial evidence indicates that Rwanda has provided military support to the M23, including troop reinforcements and logistical assistance. A United Nations report from July 2024 detailed extensive Rwandan military activities in the region, revealing that Rwandan forces had conducted numerous operations in collaboration with the M23, effectively exerting significant influence over the group’s actions.
Rwanda’s purported motivations for supporting the M23 are multifaceted. The Rwandan government asserts that its involvement is necessary to protect Tutsi populations in the DRC from genocidal factions and to secure its borders against hostile elements. However, critics argue that Rwanda’s actions are driven by economic interests, particularly the exploitation of the DRC’s rich mineral resources. The ongoing conflict has facilitated illicit mining operations, with profits allegedly funneled to both the M23 and their Rwandan benefactors.
Humanitarian Impact and International Response
The confluence of armed conflict, targeted religious persecution, and foreign intervention has precipitated a humanitarian catastrophe in Goma and its environs. Displacement figures have reached alarming levels, with over 7 million people internally displaced across the DRC due to ongoing violence. The influx of refugees into urban centers like Goma has strained already limited resources, leading to shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.
International organizations have condemned the escalating violence and called for immediate action to prevent further atrocities. The United Nations has urged for decisive measures to halt the M23’s advance and to address the underlying issues contributing to the conflict. Despite these appeals, the situation on the ground remains volatile, with peace efforts hindered by complex regional dynamics and competing interests.
The crisis in Goma exemplifies the intricate interplay of local grievances, religious persecution, and international politics that fuels prolonged conflict in the DRC. Addressing this multifaceted emergency necessitates a comprehensive approach that encompasses immediate humanitarian relief, robust diplomatic engagement, and long-term strategies aimed at fostering political stability and economic development. Without concerted efforts from both regional actors and the global community, the cycle of violence and suffering in Goma is poised to persist, with devastating consequences for its inhabitants.
They need urgent help—now. CMM.world Rapid Response is on the ground, delivering emergency aid, food, clean water, and medical support to those caught in the crisis. We need your support to expand our reach and save more lives. https://donate.stripe.com/aEU6qQ5FS0LZeis7sY Every dollar you give provides lifesaving relief—feeding a hungry child, providing urgent medical care, and ensuring families find safety amidst the chaos. The situation worsens daily, and without immediate action, more innocent lives will be lost. Your donation today will bring hope, healing, and survival to the most vulnerable in DR Congo.
Jorge–
 Jorge Parrott, Ph.D.President of Christ’s Mandate for Missions and CMM College of Theology |