Fighting has reignited in eastern Congo, violating a fragile ceasefire, according to statements from both the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army.
This development raises questions about the M23’s willingness to halt its offensive, even after Rwandan troops were reportedly withdrawn.
The Tutsi-led M23 group has been waging a renewed insurgency in eastern Congo since 2022. Both the Congolese government and the United Nations have accused Rwanda of backing M23 with troops and weapons, allegations Rwanda denies.
However, a July report by U.N. experts revealed that Rwanda has between 3,000 and 4,000 government forces operating in the region alongside the M23 rebels.
On November 25, the foreign ministers of Congo and Rwanda agreed on terms for the disengagement of Rwandan forces. Despite this, M23 confirmed the resumption of hostilities on Tuesday, following similar claims by the Congolese army a day earlier.
The Congolese and Rwandan presidents are scheduled to meet on December 15 for the first time since 2023. This meeting, mediated by Angola, aims to address the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, the M23 rebels insist they are upholding a ceasefire agreed upon in March 2023, even though they are not directly involved in the current talks between Rwanda and Congo.
In early November, the United States expressed “grave concern” over ceasefire violations in eastern Congo, underscoring the fragile security situation in the region.
