Fighting has surged in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the past four days between Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and the Congolese army, despite an existing ceasefire agreement, according to local and military sources. The M23 militia, which has been claiming to protect ethnic Tutsis, has been supported by Kigali and has captured large territories in eastern DRC since 2021, resulting in the displacement of thousands and leading to a significant humanitarian crisis. As tensions mount, the group has nearly surrounded Goma, the provincial capital.
In early August, Angola facilitated a fragile truce that helped stabilize the front lines temporarily; however, exchanges of gunfire continued. By late October, the M23 had escalated localized offensives, disregarding calls for restraint from the Congolese military and allied pro-Kinshasa militias. Remarkably, despite these breaches of the ceasefire, diplomatic discussions between the DRC and Rwanda, mediated by Angola, have continued. An M23 spokesperson dismissed concerns over the agreement between DRC and Rwanda, asserting their detachment from the negotiations.
Recently, clashes intensified in the Lubero territory, located north of the M23’s main operational area. The current frontline stretches along the road leading to Butembo, an essential commercial center under the control of Kinshasa, situated about 60 kilometers from the fighting. Reports indicate that hostilities have surged westwards into opposition territory, with both sides accusing each other of aggression.
Despite claims from both factions of capturing and defending various positions and villages, concrete advancements on the battlefield remain unclear. The hostilities were still ongoing as of Thursday, according to the Congolese armed forces, though the overall situation appeared chaotic and uncertain. Reinforcements have been deployed to the northern front by both parties, which had previously been comparatively stable since the ceasefire, raising alarms about a potential escalation in violence. In a separate confrontation, M23 militants have also been engaging pro-Kinshasa armed groups in the Masisi area of North Kivu province.
As the conflict continues, displaced residents have started to seek refuge in Kitsambiro, a town located north of the active combat zones, according to Colonel Alain Kiwewa, the Lubero territory administrator. In a forthcoming development, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi are scheduled to meet on December 15 in Luanda, Angola, to engage in discussions aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict and seeking solutions to restore peace in the region.
