All articles tagged with #m23
Authorities in South Kivu say two mass graves—one with about 30 bodies in Kiromoni and another with 141 in Kavimvira near Uvira—hold roughly 171 victims, whom they accuse M23 rebels of killing amid renewed fighting in eastern Congo; a civil-society group says it was blocked from visiting the sites, as clashes persist despite a U.S.-brokered peace deal and widespread humanitarian concerns.
More than 200 people were killed in a landslide at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; the toll was later reported as at least 227 dead, including miners, children and market vendors. The mine has been controlled by the M23 rebels since 2024 and accounts for about 15% of the world’s coltan supply, with the UN alleging mineral plunder to fund the insurgency amid Rwanda’s denial of backing the group.
The UN Security Council has called on Rwanda to withdraw its forces from eastern Congo and extended the peacekeeping mission MONUSCO for a year amid ongoing conflict involving the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, despite a recent peace deal and accusations of Rwandan support for the rebels. The situation remains tense with continued fighting and a significant humanitarian crisis in the region.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the escalation of deadly attacks against civilians in eastern DRC by Rwandan-backed M23 and other armed groups, with over 319 civilians killed in recent months. Despite peace agreements, violence persists, causing deep suffering for local communities, and calls for all parties to uphold international laws and protect civilians.
The UN reports that 169 civilians, mainly farmers, were killed in an attack by M23 rebels in eastern Congo, raising concerns about ongoing violence and regional stability, with the group denying the allegations and calling for an investigation. The incident complicates efforts for peace and mineral investments in the region, amid accusations of Rwandan backing for M23.
Rwanda and DR Congo have reached a draft peace agreement mediated by the US and Qatar to end decades of conflict, focusing on disarmament and integration of armed groups, with a formal signing expected next week. The deal aims to stabilize the region, attract investment, and address longstanding issues, though many details remain uncertain.
Aid groups are warning of a new humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo as the armed rebel group M23 advances, threatening to cut off a major city and leaving millions struggling for food and medical help. The region has been plagued by conflict for years, with M23 and other armed groups vying for control in the mineral-rich area near the border with Rwanda. Tensions between Congo and Rwanda are escalating, with accusations of supporting various armed groups. The upsurge in fighting has already displaced 1 million people, and the situation could lead to an escalation of regional tensions and involve more countries.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has accused Rwandan forces of crossing the border and attacking its frontier security forces, escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries. The Rwandan army denies the accusation and suggests it could be a pretext for a planned attack on Rwandan territory. The conflict stems from a dispute over the M23 rebel group, which Congo accuses Rwanda of backing, while Rwanda accuses Congo of supporting the FDLR rebel group. The United Nations has evidence of Rwandan troops fighting alongside the M23 and Congolese soldiers supporting the FDLR.