Renewed clashes have erupted in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, pitting the M23 rebel group against government forces supported by coalition troops. The fighting, which broke out on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, across South Kivu province, has escalated tensions in the region. Reports from the ground indicate heavy fighting in areas such as Katogota-Luvungi, Kaziba-Haut Plateau, Tchivanga-Hombo, and Kasika-Mwenga, forcing many residents to flee amid fears for their safety.
The M23 leader, Bertrand Bisimwa, confirmed the confrontations, while the group’s spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, accused government forces of launching attacks on densely populated areas. Kanyuka described the situation as rapidly worsening and devastating for local communities. The outbreak of violence comes shortly after a peace framework was agreed in Doha, Qatar, on November 8, 2025, aimed at advancing talks between M23 and the Congolese government toward a lasting settlement.
Despite the agreement, both sides have previously blamed each other for breaking ceasefire commitments, raising doubts about the agreement’s effectiveness. The M23 currently controls significant portions of North and South Kivu, including strategic cities such as Goma and Bukavu, as well as Goma and Kavumu airports. The group has faced repeated accusations from the DRC government of receiving support from Rwanda, allegations both Kigali and M23 deny. The M23 maintains that its campaign targets government corruption, discrimination, and xenophobia within the Congolese political system.
Since rebounding in 2022 under the leadership of Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, the rebels have been a significant force in the region. The recent fighting has significant implications for the region’s stability and the prospects for a lasting peace. The international community will be closely watching the situation, given the potential for further escalation and the humanitarian consequences for local populations. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the peace framework agreed in Doha can be salvaged and whether the parties can return to the negotiating table to find a lasting solution to the conflict.