The drivers, who escaped the fighting with the help of M23 rebels, included 34 Tanzanians, nine Burundians, and three Kenyans.
Clashes between M23 and the Congolese army (FARDC) and its allies erupted near Goma International Airport, where the drivers were stationed in a nearby parking lot. As the violence escalated, their hopes of survival faded.
At the onset of the conflict, they hid beneath their trucks, struggling without food, water, or basic necessities. In a desperate plea for help, they used social media to call for assistance.
After securing the area, M23 forces responded to their distress call and rescued them.
The rescue operation was led by M23 spokesperson Lt Col Willy Ngoma, who reassured the drivers before escorting them to the Rwandan border.
Among those rescued was Burundian driver Ndinzayaha Shadrack, who frequently travels to Tanzania, Kenya, the DRC, and Zambia.
He left Dar es Salaam on January 3, 2025, and arrived in Goma on January 11, where his truck remained unloaded for two weeks before the conflict erupted.
Recalling the ordeal, he told IGIHE: 'Gunfire lasted for two days, and we had no way out. We sent distress messages on social media. Today, M23 soldiers told us they had come to rescue us after seeing our call for help. They gathered us together, and Lt Col Willy Ngoma reassured us before escorting us to the Rwandan border.'
Ndinzayaha added: 'None of us believed we would survive. The airport became a battlefield, with bullets flying over us. I am truly grateful to M23 for saving us and giving us hope when we had none.'
Another driver, Ndayizeye Alexandre, had left Dar es Salaam transporting flour for the WFP to the DRC.
He described the harrowing experience: 'M23 saved our lives, and I can't thank them enough. May God bless them. Without them, we would have died. Bullets were everywhere, and we hid under our trucks. I was even shot in the head, but by God's grace, the bullet didn't kill me. We are also grateful to the Rwandan government for their generosity.'
Kenyan driver David Kahiga was transporting WFP goods from Mombasa to Goma. He arrived in Goma on January 5, 2025, only to be caught in the conflict days later, watching his chances of survival disappear.
'I never thought I would be standing here today. I sincerely thank the Rwandan government for receiving us, taking care of us, and now handing us over to our embassies. We cried out for help, and they responded. As for M23, I cannot thank them enoughâ€"we owe them our lives. We spent four days without food or water, with bullets flying above us, but they came and rescued us,' he said.
The drivers expressed deep gratitude to the Rwandan government for providing them with food, shelter, and other necessities at its own expense until they were safely handed over to their embassies.
Alex Mutamba, Division Manager for EAC and Eastern Africa Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that Rwanda values strong regional ties and offers assistance without discrimination.
'We help everyone, regardless of nationality. If others find themselves stranded, we will assist them as well. As you have seen, Rwanda provided transportation and other necessities. Rwanda is a country that welcomes all,' he stated.
The embassies of Tanzania, Burundi, and Kenya in Rwanda are now working on repatriating their nationals.
IGIHE
