Fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has intensified, with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels advancing toward the city of Bukavu and deploying armed drones and heavy artillery in civilian areas, according to UN officials and local reports.
The latest escalation comes as the US-brokered ceasefire signed between the DRC and Rwanda in December has failed to hold. Both governments accuse each other of violating the agreement, with Kinshasa alleging that Rwandan troops continue to support M23 operations. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on July 8 that renewed hostilities in South Kivu province had killed dozens of civilians, destroyed homes and livestock, and increased the risk of another wave of mass displacement. Fighting has been particularly intense in the territories of Fizi and Mwenga, where both M23 and Congolese forces have used explosive weapons in densely populated areas. Türk called for an immediate halt to the use of explosive weapons in civilian areas and urged Rwanda to end its support for M23. He warned that continued fighting could force hundreds of thousands more people to flee, including across international borders, while increasing the risk of further violations of international humanitarian law.
The M23 rebel movement resumed its insurgency in late 2021, saying it was defending Tutsi communities in eastern DRC. The group captured Goma, the region's largest city, in January 2025 before advancing south toward Bukavu. In February 2025, rebels entered the city center after Congolese forces withdrew to avoid urban combat. The renewed offensive has heightened concerns that the conflict could expand beyond eastern DRC. Congo continues to accuse Rwanda of backing M23, an allegation Kigali denies. The United Kingdom and Germany have threatened to reduce aid to Rwanda over its alleged involvement, while the United States has continued to push for renewed dialogue between the two countries. The violence also threatens mineral supply chains from eastern DRC, a region rich in gold, tin, tantalum, and other strategic minerals, while further restricting humanitarian access. The United Nations estimates that hundreds of thousands of people across the affected areas require urgent assistance.
Regional organizations, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC), have struggled to revive negotiations. Angola has continued to position itself as a key mediator, but diplomatic efforts have produced limited progress. As fighting intensifies, pressure is mounting on regional and international actors to prevent the conflict from spreading further across Central Africa.
