For the past quarter-century, the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have served as operational bases for over 100 armed groups, with the March 23 Movement (M23) emerging as one of the most prominent. The emergence of the group was a result of a failed 2009 peace agreement with the previous CNDP rebel group, deep-seated grievances over the dysfunctional Congolese government, and a struggle for valuable lands and minerals.
Key Occurrences (2022–2025)
- March 2022: M23 resurgence and launch of military offensives.
- March – June 2022: Conflict Escalation, M23 overruns key areas in Rutshuru Territory, including strategic border town Bunagana.
- March 2024: M23 advances further north in Rutshuru, capturing the Rwindi and Vitshumbi fishery.
- June 2024: M23 & Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) seize Kanyabayonga and Kirumba, entering Lubero Territory for the first time.
- January 2025: M23 begins major advances towards Goma and Bukavu (provincial capitals of North & South Kivu).
- January 30, 2025: M23 captures all of Goma.
- February 16, 2025: M23 captures Bukavu.
- February 4, 2025: M23 declares a unilateral ceasefire.
- June 2025: A US-brokered peace agreement is signed between the DRC and Rwanda.
- July 19, 2025: Qatari-mediated Declaration of Principles signed between DRC and M23 in Doha.
- August 18, 2025 (Deadline): Final peace deal expected to be signed.
External Interventions
- Rwanda: Accused of “command and control” over M23, providing “critical support” (estimated 3,000-4,000 Rwandan troops), with significant interests in mineral control, security, and geopolitical influence.
- Uganda: accused of creating a buffer zone for M23.
- Burundi: Deployed ~15,000 soldiers to support DRC, concerned by M23’s advance towards Uvira.
- United Nations (MONUSCO): Supports the Congolese army, monitors ceasefire, and documents violations.
- EAC Regional Force (EACRF): Deployed Nov 2022, withdrew Dec 2023 due to mandate disagreements.
- SADC Mission (SAMIDRC): Deployed Dec 2023, withdrew March 2025, failed to push back M23.
- Angola mediated earlier DRC-Rwanda talks (Dec 2024), which broke down.
- United States: Brokered DRC-Rwanda peace agreement (June 2025).
- Qatar: Mediated DRC-M23 Declaration of Principles (July 2025).
Displacement
- Direct Conflict Deaths (Jan-Feb 2025): 7,000 killed (Congolese government figures).
- Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs):
- DRC accommodates over 7 million IDPs, with over 5 million located in the Eastern provinces (North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri).
- In Jan-Feb 2025, 1.2 million people were displaced by M23 offensive attacks, with over 660,000 people from Goma/Nyiragongo.
- Over 700,000 people lack access to safe shelter/water in Goma due to displacement site destruction.
- Health Crises:
- Over 35,000 suspected cases of cholera and 852 deaths
- Over 187 cases of Mpox in Goma
- Approximately 26 million people face emergency levels of food insecurity.
- 5 million children suffer from malnutrition.
- Over 8,200 people living with HIV lost access to antiretroviral treatment due to aid cuts.
