The ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has taken a tense turn as the government and the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group exchanged accusations regarding violations of a ceasefire mediated by Angola. The ceasefire was proposed last Wednesday, with Kinshasa indicating acceptance “in principle,” although a definitive start date was not confirmed. This development follows a fragile pause in violence in a region plagued by decades of unrest.
The M23 has regained momentum since 2021, seizing significant territory in the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces with alleged support from Rwandan forces. The group had resumed its offensive in December on the town of Uvira amid the ongoing ratification of a peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, facilitated by U.S. mediation.
While Kinshasa expressed willingness to accept the ceasefire, the M23 accused the DRC government of manipulation, criticizing its failure to set a clear date for the ceasefire’s implementation. Despite the accusations, local and security sources reported a lull in hostilities since the announcement.
However, tensions surged on Friday, as the Congolese military claimed that M23 forces attacked their positions in both North and South Kivu, which they asserted undermined the peace process. In response, the M23 issued a statement alleging that the DRC forces violated the ceasefire.
The situation on the ground appears chaotic, with reports of renewed fighting around Minembwe, a town in the highlands of South Kivu, where Congolese troops—supported by local militias and Burundian soldiers—have been engaged in clashes with militia aligned with the M23 for several weeks. Meanwhile, other fronts in South Kivu reportedly remained relatively calm.
The eastern DRC is home to countless armed groups, frequently utilizing proxy militias in the ongoing conflict. Despite multiple ceasefires and truces since the M23’s resurgence in 2021, peace remains elusive as hostilities continue to flare intermittently. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, hoping for a lasting resolution to the conflict that has inflicted suffering on countless civilians.
