Internet Shutdowns

On Monday, 27 January 2025, local sources reported that the Internet had been taken offline in the region around Goma, a major eastern city of the Democratic Republic of Congo with over a million residents. The outage occurred after rebels from the M23 movement said they had taken control of Goma following a quick advance against the Congolese army.

Trusted local sources confirmed that the government ordered Internet to be cut off only to Goma over a two day period. Additionally, fighting in the city damaged the local fiber infrastructure. The local fiber network in Goma is run via telephone or electrical poles, not in underground trenches, which leaves the infrastructure particularly vulnerable to being damaged during military conflict. The city has suffered significant damage to its infrastructure amid the fighting, with UK NGO Save the Children noting that “large parts of Goma have been without water and electricity since Friday, (24 January 2025).”

Although the government seems to have lifted the local Internet shutdown to Goma, there are reports that it has switched to a national service-blocking campaign (learn more).

With thousands fleeing the fighting and fighting happening inside the city, the Internet is more important than ever. Internet shutdowns and service blocking during civil conflict impact citizens’ ability to get accurate information from government sources and emergency services when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country or in other countries to let them know they are safe or to get help.

Trusted local sources indicate that the government ordered the Internet to be cut off only in Goma for two days. Additional damage to local Internet infrastructure due to fighting has further limited access to the Internet in Goma.