M23 Offensive Undermines Rwanda-DRC Peace Accord as Violence Persists in Eastern Congo
Despite a high-profile peace agreement signed in Washington last month, the M23 rebel group launched a significant offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, capturing the key town of Uvira in South Kivu province just days after the deal was finalized. The advance starkly contradicted diplomatic claims of a resolved conflict and highlighted the persistent gap between international negotiations and the reality for civilians.
The offensive began on December 9, five days after Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC, with U.S. mediation, agreed to a framework requiring Rwandan troop withdrawal and the dismantling of Rwandan-backed rebels in Congo. The M23, which has received substantial military support from Rwanda according to UN reports, seized Uvira from Congolese government forces and allied militias. The capture triggered a new wave of displacement, with tens of thousands fleeing to neighboring Burundi, and resulted in significant civilian casualties and destruction along the Kamanyola-Uvira corridor.
Journalistic travel along the route in mid-December revealed extensive evidence of recent fighting: abandoned military positions, burned vehicles, destroyed homes, and decomposing bodies of soldiers and civilians. Residents described living under constant threat, with economic activity paralyzed and prices for essential transport soaring due to the risks. One resident near Sange stated, “My heart bleeds when I hear people boasting that they have ended the war,” reflecting widespread skepticism toward the Washington accord.
The M23 withdrew from Uvira in January under U.S. pressure, but the damage to trust was severe. Following the rebel withdrawal, Congolese army and militia forces re-entered the city, leading to looting and targeted violence against the local Banyamulenge population—Congolese Tutsis often associated with the M23. Dozens of Banyamulenge families fled north with the retreating rebels, fearing for their lives. The Congolese government has accused the M23 and Rwandan forces of “deporting” civilians, while describing the violence as a pretext for the insurgency.
The sequence of events raises questions about the commitment of all parties to the diplomatic process. The M23 has stated that bilateral talks between Rwanda and the DRC do not concern them, and they retain control over vast territories in North and South Kivu. Analysts note that the offensive demonstrated the group’s continued military capability and political ambition, while Rwanda maintains its forces are not active in the DRC—a claim widely disputed by the UN and Congolese authorities.
For civilians in the region, the conflict has created one of the world’s most protracted humanitarian crises, with over 7 million internally displaced. The brief capture of Uvira underscored how localized offensives can instantly unravel broader diplomatic efforts, leaving populations vulnerable and international assurances appearing disconnected from on-the-ground dynamics. The situation remains volatile, with the Washington agreement’s implementation uncertain and civilian protection continuing to deteriorate.
