{"id":39465,"date":"2025-07-18T10:59:07","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T08:59:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/?post_type=publication&p=39465"},"modified":"2025-07-18T11:23:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T09:23:17","slug":"m23s-territorial-advances-in-june-a-long-path-to-peace-renewed-efforts-to-resolve-the-m23-conflict-in-eastern-congo","status":"publish","type":"publication","link":"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/nl\/publication\/m23s-territorial-advances-in-june-a-long-path-to-peace-renewed-efforts-to-resolve-the-m23-conflict-in-eastern-congo\/","title":{"rendered":"M23\u2019s territorial advances in June \u2013 A long path to peace: Renewed efforts to resolve the M23 conflict in Eastern Congo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New mediation efforts have been made throughout June to end the ongoing conflict between the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and pro-government forces in the North and South Kivu regions of eastern Congo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On June 13th<\/sup>, Bintou Keita, head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo<\/em> (MONUSCO), met with representatives from the Alliance Fleuve Congo<\/em> and the March 23 Movement<\/em> (AFC\/M23) in Goma.<\/a> This marks the first engagement between MONUSCO and M23 since the rebel group seized large parts of eastern Congo earlier this year. The meeting focused on establishing a framework between MONUSCO and the M23 to ensure the safety and free movement of UN personnel and civilians<\/a>. Bintou Keita noted that the leaders of AFC\/M23 expressed their willingness to pursue a peaceful resolution to the crisis<\/a> and affirmed MONUSCO\u2019s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On June 27th<\/sup>, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda signed a peace agreement<\/a> in Washington, D.C., aimed at de-escalating tensions and fostering regional stability after years of conflict in eastern DRC. The accord reaffirms both nations\u2019 commitment to respect each other\u2019s sovereignty and territorial integrity, to support the disengagement, disarmament and integration of armed groups as provided by other agreements or processes, and regional economic cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Trump described the peace agreement as a \u201ctremendous breakthrough\u201d,<\/em><\/a> critics caution<\/a> that its successful implementation hinges on the political and diplomatic commitment from all parties involved. One of the most significant hurdles to this agreement is the exclusion of the M23 from the direct negotiation process. While the rebel group has participated in ongoing peace talks in Doha<\/a>, it was not directly involved in the Washington-brokered deal. M23 representatives have since indicated that they do not consider the agreement binding<\/a>, raising concerns about its enforceability on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fighting persists \u2013 the situation on the ground throughout June<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the first half of June, the frontlines in DRC\u2019s North and South Kivu provinces remained relatively calm. However, fighting was reported along the borders of Kahuzi Biega National Park, specifically at the border region between Kalehe<\/strong> and Kabare<\/strong><\/a> territories, South Kivu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Heavy clashes emerged<\/a> in Rutshuru<\/strong> territory, North Kivu, in the second half of June, when M23 rebels intensified their continuous attacks<\/a> on Wazalendo positions<\/a> in the Bwito chiefdom. Concurrently, in South Kivu, Wazalendo self-defence groups sought to regain ground in the Walungu<\/strong> territory, particularly in the Burhale<\/a> and Mulamba<\/a> groupements<\/em>, southeast of the regional capital, Walungu Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conflict in the Walungu<\/strong> territory escalated on June 21st<\/sup>, when M23-affiliated rebels killed 17 civilians in Luzirhu<\/a> (also known as Munzinzi) amid accusations of their collaboration with FARDC. The FARDC refuted these allegations<\/a> in an official statement and accused M23-affiliated rebels of setting fire to houses in Luzirhu and opening fire on fleeing civilians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the 28th<\/sup> of June, a concerning abduction occurred in the town of Rubaya (Masisi<\/strong> territory, North Kivu), where M23 allegedly arrested more than 300 youths, including minors<\/a> and brought them to unknown destinations. This marks the second significant incident around the M23-controlled mining sites in Rubaya in June, where on June 19th<\/sup>, a landslide in one of the pits caused the deaths of approximately 300 miners<\/a>, as estimated by Mines.cd. A similar abduction was reported from the Luengo groupement<\/em> (Kabare territory<\/strong>, South Kivu), where M23 arbitrarily arrested more than 20 youths<\/a> and presented them as new volunteer recruits in Buvira. The DRC\u2019s Minister for Human Rights, Chantal Chambu, confirmed both abductions<\/a> and alerted that these acts constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite renewed diplomatic momentum, the path to peace in eastern DRC remains fragile. As fighting and human rights abuses persist, lasting progress will depend on inclusive dialogue and sustained political will from all parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Further reading<\/h2>\n\n\n
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The (new) M23 offensive on Goma: Why this long-lasting conflict is not only about minerals and what are its implications? \u2013 Q&A<\/div>
By the morning of January 29th, the rebels largely controlled the strategic city of Goma. To provide a quick and understandable explanation of the causes of this humanitarian crisis, the role of natural resources, and in particular minerals, is often overemphasized. While mining and mineral trade inevitably play an important role \u2014 being a vital part of the local economy \u2014 it is important to assess economic assets more broadly, as well as political interests and social grievances.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group seeks local power in DRC, not just control over mining operations<\/div>
M23 strategies allow the rebel group to control local governance and to generate revenues from the local economy, including rents from North Kivu\u2019s mineral wealth.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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The M23 \u201cversion 2\u201d – Local stakes, motivations, perceptions, and impacts<\/div>
Since 2021, the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has once again fallen victim to the \u201cMarch 23 Movement\u201d (M23). Supposedly defeated in 2013, the M23 took up arms again in 2021, and by 2022 had rapidly seized vast territories in the south-east of North Kivu province.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
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