Resurgence of Fighting: Hopes for Peace in Eastern Congo Dwindle

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the long-desired peace seems far off, as hostilities have once again erupted in the conflict-ridden eastern region. The M23 rebel group and the Congolese army have confirmed the violation of the ceasefire, raising doubts about whether the M23 will actually halt its offensive following the withdrawal of Rwandan soldiers. The Tutsi-led M23 has been conducting its renewed rebellion in the east of the Central African Republic since 2022, with both the Congolese government and the United Nations accusing neighboring Rwanda of supporting the rebels with troops and weapons. Rwanda vehemently denies this. Nevertheless, UN experts reported in July of a presence of 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers in the region, who are operating jointly with the M23. On November 25, the foreign ministers of Congo and Rwanda agreed on conditions for the withdrawal of Rwandan forces. This diplomatic rapprochement is crucial, also in view of the planned meeting of the Congolese and Rwandan presidents on December 15 in Angola, the first official meeting since the beginning of 2023. In a statement on November 30, the M23 rebels emphasized that despite their non-involvement in the current negotiations, they adhere to the ceasefire agreed upon in March 2023. However, as early as the beginning of November, the US government expressed 'serious concern' over the renewed violations of the ceasefire by the M23 in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.