On April 30, 2025, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced it is facilitating the transfer of hundreds of stranded Congolese soldiers and police officers, along with their families, from the rebel-controlled city of Goma to the capital, Kinshasa.

These soldiers and police officers had been seeking refuge at a United Nations base in Goma since January 2025 due to escalating conflict with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who seized control of the city.

The journey from Goma to Kinshasa, which spans approximately 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles), is expected to take several days, according to Myriam Favier, the ICRC chief in Goma.

Due to security concerns amid ongoing tensions in eastern Congo, no media coverage was permitted for the transfer operation.

Tensions remain high in eastern Congo, with ongoing fighting between the Congolese army and M23, despite recent efforts to establish a truce.

Sylvain Ekenge, spokesperson for the Congolese Armed Forces, expressed support for the ICRC's operation and emphasized the importance of adhering to commitments made during the process.

The announcement of the transfer was met with relief, as one soldier expressed hope for the future, stating, 'We lost a battle, not the war,' while remaining anonymous for safety reasons.

In the backdrop of this operation, the U.N. Human Rights Council has launched an investigation into serious human rights violations committed by both sides in the conflict, including allegations of rape and extrajudicial killings.

The M23 is reportedly backed by around 4,000 Rwandan troops, which has heightened regional tensions and contributed to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The conflict in eastern Congo has resulted in over 7 million people being displaced and an estimated 6 million deaths since the mid-1990s, exacerbated by the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide.

This transfer operation is based on an agreement involving the Congolese government, M23 rebels, the U.N. mission, and the ICRC, which is acting as a neutral intermediary.

On the same day as the transfer announcement, U.S. officials met with representatives from Congo and Rwanda in Doha, Qatar, reaffirming their commitment to a peace deal amid ongoing mediation efforts.