DR Congo – A violent jailbreak unfolded early Monday morning at a prison in Goma, just hours after fighters from the M23 armed group and Rwandan troops entered the city.

According to a security source, the prison, which housed around 3,000 inmates, was “totally torched” during the massive escape, leading to “deaths,” though details remain limited.

Fleeing prisoners were seen running through the surrounding streets, witnesses reported to AFP.

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The chaos erupted as gunfire and large explosions shook the city center of Goma on the night of January 26, 2025, as M23 fighters, bolstered by Rwandan forces, clashed with the Congolese army on the outskirts of the city.

Large explosions continued after nightfall, causing panic among residents in this mineral-rich region, which is also home to over a million people and as many displaced by the ongoing violence.

The battle for Goma, a critical strategic location, marks a new chapter in the decade-long instability plaguing eastern DRC.

It highlights the deepening tensions involving Rwanda and the DRC, fueled by long-standing regional rivalries, ethnic tensions, and armed militia confrontations.

International calls for an end to the fighting have grown louder, as Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Sunday that a summit would be convened in the coming days between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame to address the crisis.

Fighters from the M23, with support from Rwandan troops, have been clashing with Congolese forces near Goma for several days. Despite calls for an end to the violence, Rwanda has continued to reinforce its position.

On Sunday, between 500 and 1,000 additional Rwandan soldiers were reported to have crossed into DRC, strengthening M23’s offensive.

The DRC government has strongly condemned Rwanda’s actions, accusing Kigali of violating its sovereignty.

“This is a frontal assault, a declaration of war that no longer hides behind diplomatic artifice,” Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner stated during an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Sunday.

In response, Rwanda’s foreign ministry defended its military presence, asserting it was necessary to maintain a “sustained defensive posture” due to the ongoing fighting near the border.

“This fighting close to the Rwandan border continues to present a serious threat to Rwanda’s security and territorial integrity,” a Rwandan statement said.

The United Nations Security Council has urged the withdrawal of foreign forces, but avoided naming Rwanda directly.

However, the UN has expressed concern over Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict, with a report alleging that Rwanda is using the M23 to secure access to the DRC’s vast mineral wealth, which it then exports for its own gain. UN sources confirmed that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops are currently backing the M23.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the violence continues to claim the lives of both local civilians and foreign peacekeepers.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Rwanda to cease its support for the M23 and withdraw its troops from the DRC, though these calls have been rejected by Kigali.

With diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the DRC deteriorating rapidly, both countries have recalled their ambassadors, and tensions remain high.

In a bold move, Colombian President Gustavo Petro declared on Sunday that he would not allow US deportation flights carrying Colombian migrants to access his country’s airspace.

The left-wing leader took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his strong stance, stating, “The United States cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals. I forbid entry to our territory to US planes carrying Colombian migrants.”

Petro made it clear that such flights would only be accepted once Washington established a protocol to ensure the “dignified treatment” of deported migrants.

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The president later confirmed in a separate post that he had already turned back US military planes that were en route with Colombian migrants on board, although he did not provide further specifics on the matter.

While AFP sought confirmation from US authorities regarding the blockade of deportation flights, no immediate response was forthcoming.

Petro’s statements come just a day after Brazil’s government voiced similar outrage over the treatment of deported Brazilians.

Brazil condemned the US administration under President Donald Trump, citing instances where Brazilian migrants were deported while handcuffed on flights, describing it as a “flagrant disregard” for their basic rights.

In his remarks, Petro emphasized that he would be open to allowing civilian US flights to transport deported migrants as long as they were not subjected to treatment “like criminals,” signaling a broader call for humane treatment of migrants under international deportation policies.

In a controversial move, Republican Representative Andy Ogles has introduced a resolution aimed at amending the U.S. Constitution to permit former and current President Donald Trump to run for a third term in office.

The proposal, announced on Thursday, seeks to revise the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms.

Ogles argued that Trump is uniquely equipped to address the nation’s challenges and lead a turnaround for the United States.

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“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times,” Ogles said in his statement. “He has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nation’s decay and restoring America to greatness. He must be given the time necessary to accomplish that goal.”

The congressman also underscored the importance of giving Trump the tools needed to address what he described as damage caused by the Biden administration.

“We must provide Trump with every resource necessary to correct the disastrous course set by the Biden administration,” he added.

“He is dedicated to restoring the republic and saving our country, and we, as legislators and as states, must do everything in our power to support him.”

The resolution calls for a constitutional amendment to modify the 22nd Amendment, which was ratified in 1951 following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four-term presidency from 1933 to 1945.

Roosevelt’s extended time in office spurred fears of presidential overreach, leading to the adoption of term limits.

Trump, who won the 2024 presidential election and returned to office, has previously downplayed the idea of seeking a third term.

However, during a conversation with Republican lawmakers, he humorously alluded to the possibility.

“I suspect I won’t be running again unless you do something,” Trump said. “Unless you say, ‘he’s so good, we have to just figure it out.’”

Ogles lauded Trump’s actions during his second term, citing executive orders aimed at securing the southern border, restricting gender identities to male and female, boosting energy production, and withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization.

These measures, according to Ogles, demonstrate Trump’s ability to restore America’s standing and address critical issues.

The 22nd Amendment, proposed in 1947 and ratified four years later, was designed to uphold the principle of limited presidential terms first established by George Washington, the nation’s first president.

Washington voluntarily stepped down after two terms, warning against any president serving so long as to resemble a monarch or dictator.

Republicans currently hold a slim three-seat majority in the House of Representatives, but amending the Constitution is a daunting task.

The proposed amendment would require approval from two-thirds of both the House and Senate, as well as ratification by three-fourths of the states—a high bar in today’s deeply divided political climate.

While Ogles’ proposal is unlikely to succeed, it reflects the enduring loyalty Trump commands among his supporters and within the Republican Party.

The resolution has already drawn criticism from opponents who argue it undermines democratic principles, while supporters insist it is necessary to allow Trump to complete what they view as his mission to “restore America’s greatness.”