### The Taking of Goma: A New Turning Point in the Congolese Crisis?
On 27 January 2025, the Ecumenical Network for Central Africa (ÖNZ) sounded the alarm about the situation in Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The city, after coming under increasing pressure from the M23 rebel movement, was declared under rebel control, revealing once again the humanitarian and political challenges facing the region.
#### An Alarming Humanitarian Situation
ÖNZ highlighted the urgent need for an international response, stressing the risks of a humanitarian disaster. With thousands of people already displaced and humanitarian aid declining, the situation risks deteriorating rapidly. Reports indicate that humanitarian organisations, while aware of the growing needs, have had to reduce or even cease their operations in Goma, creating a catastrophic gap in food and medical supplies.
This crisis is all the more worrying in the context of a massive conflict, with possible repercussions on the security of neighbouring countries. Indeed, the capture of Goma is not a simple local event, but a nodal point in a complex network of regional tensions, with Rwanda playing an undeniable role in the conflicts shaking Kivu.
#### Ineffective diplomatic pressure?
Ciaran Wrons-Passmann, Director of ÖNZ, calls on European governments, and in particular Germany, to act more firmly. While Wrons-Passmann’s statement underlines the need for targeted sanctions against Rwanda, it also questions the nature of German relations with this country. Germany has historically maintained close ties with Rwanda, supporting its economic development, and finds itself trapped in a dynamic of contradictory cooperation in the face of accusations of human rights violations.
The dilemma for Berlin is therefore real: continue to provide aid that could strengthen a regime presented as a destabilizing actor or reposition its foreign policy at the risk of breaking strategic alliances. This questioning resonates with the concerns raised around the growing influence of Russia and China in Africa, whether through economic investments or military alliances.
#### The geopolitical context and the resurgence of nationalisms
The international agency of global relations, like the International Crisis Group, warns that the situation could quickly evolve into an open war, a scenario that for the moment remains hypothetical but not improbable. The tension between the DRC and Rwanda recalls past conflicts, but the stakes today also include the rise of nationalist currents not only in the Great Lakes region, but on a global scale.
At a time when nations are seeking to redefine their internal priorities in the face of growing economic and environmental concerns, it is essential to remember that peace in Central Africa is intimately linked to economic and political stability in Europe. Global security concerns, including migration flows and terrorism, require a reexamination of the diplomatic priorities of European states.
#### Towards a sustainable solution?
European diplomacy, particularly through the EU, could adopt substantial measures. However, these efforts require a common will on the part of Member States. Beyond sanctions, it would be wise to strengthen channels of dialogue. Facilitation by the African Union and SADC could include more initiatives on the ground, fostering dialogue between local and international actors.
It is crucial not to be satisfied with a response to the symptoms of the crisis, but to address its roots, which include poverty, corruption, and a heavy colonial past. This requires long-term engagement and cooperation with local actors, rather than direct intervention, which is often perceived as interference.
#### Conclusion: A call to action
In sum, the capture of Goma and the statement of the Ecumenical Network for Central Africa must be a call to action for the international community. It is not just about saving immediate lives, but about rethinking an approach that integrates security, sustainable development and proactive diplomacy. The ball is in the court of European governments, particularly German, to take firm and informed positions. It is a matter of deciding whether to engage in a proactive and responsible policy or to remain in the background, observing events that could have long-term repercussions on peace and stability in the region.