A major military offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has forced approximately 200,000 civilians from their homes, creating a severe humanitarian crisis just days after international leaders publicly declared a commitment to peace.
The renewed clashes involve the M23 rebel group, which is reportedly advancing toward the strategic town of Uvira, located on the border with Burundi. Congolese armed forces, alongside local militia groups, are engaged in attempts to halt the rebel push. According to United Nations figures, the recent fighting has resulted in at least 74 fatalities, the majority of whom were civilians, with dozens more wounded.
This surge in violence casts immediate doubt on the viability of a peace framework recently endorsed by the leaders of the DRC and Rwanda at a high-profile ceremony abroad. That agreement, which affirmed commitments brokered by international mediators, was presented as a pathway to ending decades of instability in the region.
On the ground, the situation remains volatile. Rebel forces have reportedly captured the town of Luvungi, a key frontline position, with intense combat now reported in villages along the route to Uvira. Despite the ongoing military operations, a spokesperson for the M23 reiterated the group’s stated support for continued diplomatic negotiations aimed at a lasting settlement.
The conflict has long been characterized by accusations from the Congolese government and UN experts that Rwanda provides material support to the M23 rebels—an allegation Kigali consistently denies. The latest displacement adds to a catastrophic toll, with well over a million people already forced from their homes in the region prior to this latest escalation.
International observers have expressed grave concern over the deteriorating situation, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urging all external actors to cease any support for armed groups. The rapid unraveling of security underscores the profound challenges facing peace efforts in one of the world’s most protracted and complex conflicts.