Demokratische Republik Kongo

In the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, AFC/M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have withdrawn from certain areas under US diplomatic pressure. The Congolese army has moved in to regain control. This marks the most significant development on the ground in months.

The M23 armed group and Rwandan military forces carried out an abusive month-long occupation of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Uvira beginning in December 2025, Human Right Watch said in a report released today.

“If now everyone is rushing to isolate Rwanda simply because the Americans have done so, there is little chance of persuading Rwanda to adopt a cooperative policy.” In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, RFI and TV5Monde, French President Emmanuel Macron called for dialogue with Rwanda and DR Congo

[…] Tshisekedi however said any extension of his presidency would only be done by consulting the people through a referendum. The law allows a maximum of two terms. … He added that the elections may not be held on schedule because of the conflict in the east of the country.

The United States has sanctioned former Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila over what it calls his support for Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and their ally, the Congo River Alliance. The move freezes any assets Kabila may hold in the US and bars transactions through the US financial system.

The $100m plan is part of Washington’s efforts to secure access to critical minerals as the DRC struggles with rebel groups for control of territories containing reserves.

MONUSCO, the UN's peacekeeping mission in DR Congo, has hailed progress after Kinshasa and rival M23 rebels agreed to ease humanitarian aid deliveries and release prisoners within 10 days, following talks last week in Switzerland. 

The UN Security Council met Wednesday over the deteriorating security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and wider Great Lakes region. Despite mediation efforts in Doha and Washington, regional tensions between the DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi remain acute.

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebel delegates were meeting in Geneva on Tuesday to try to end a war that has devastated the east of the country, as fighting shifts into remote highland areas that are difficult to access and increasingly dangerous, despite repeated ceasefire efforts.

Despite ongoing mediation and a ceasefire agreed by warring factions, security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s war-torn eastern region continues to deteriorate, the Security Council heard today, as delegates called for efforts to “bridge the gap” between diplomatic gains and the dire reality on the ground.