M23 Clashes with Government Forces Escalate Violence in South Kivu, DRC

Clashes between the M23 rebel group and Congolese government forces, supported by coalition troops, erupted on December 2, 2025, across South Kivu province, causing heavy fighting in several towns and forcing many residents to flee. The outbreak comes weeks after a peace framework was agreed in Doha, Qatar, but mistrust between the parties has persisted. M23 controls significant areas in North and South Kivu and accuses the government of corruption and discrimination, while the conflict continues to worsen humanitarian conditions in the region.

Clashes erupted on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, between the M23 rebel group and Congolese government forces, supported by coalition troops, spreading across multiple parts of South Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The escalation has sharply intensified tensions in the region, which has long been affected by instability, armed conflict, and humanitarian crises.

Eyewitnesses and reports from the affected areas indicate that some of the heaviest fighting took place in Katogota-Luvungi, Kaziba-Haut Plateau, Tchivanga-Hombo, and Kasika-Mwenga. Artillery and small-arms exchanges created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, prompting many residents to flee their homes in search of safety. Families have been displaced to nearby villages, temporary shelters, and even across provincial borders. The disruption has also affected essential services, including markets, schools, and healthcare facilities, leaving civilians vulnerable to food shortages and medical emergencies.

The leader of M23, Bertrand Bisimwa, confirmed that confrontations occurred on multiple fronts, while the group’s spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, accused government forces of launching attacks in densely populated civilian areas. He described the situation as rapidly deteriorating and devastating for local communities, warning that the continued fighting would exacerbate humanitarian challenges and increase the number of internally displaced persons.

This outbreak comes shortly after a peace framework was agreed upon in Doha, Qatar, on November 8, 2025, which aimed to advance dialogue between M23 and the Congolese government toward a sustainable settlement. Despite this agreement, both sides have a history of accusing each other of violating previous ceasefire arrangements, raising significant doubts about the framework’s effectiveness. Observers note that mutual mistrust remains high, and underlying issues such as territorial control, political influence, and access to resources continue to complicate efforts toward lasting peace.

M23 currently controls significant portions of North and South Kivu, including key urban centers such as Goma and Bukavu, as well as important transport infrastructure like Goma and Kavumu airports. Since the group’s resurgence in 2022 under the leadership of Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, it has faced repeated accusations from the Congolese government of receiving support from Rwanda, allegations that both Kigali and M23 have consistently denied. According to the rebels, their campaign targets government corruption, systemic discrimination, and xenophobia within the Congolese political system, highlighting grievances they argue have been ignored by successive administrations.

The latest clashes reflect a worrying deterioration of stability in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region already burdened with persistent armed conflicts and humanitarian crises. Civilians remain the most affected, facing displacement, insecurity, and disruption of basic services, while efforts toward peace are challenged by deep-seated mistrust, competing territorial ambitions, and ongoing political tensions.