Nearly 40 M23 Fighters Surrender in Eastern DR Congo

Nearly 40 members of the M23 rebel group have surrendered in eastern DRC following peace efforts in Doha, raising cautious hopes for stability in a region long scarred by conflict and displacement.

Nearly 40 members of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have surrendered to authorities in North and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to military officials. Those who laid down their arms include civilians, soldiers, police officers, and two rebel commanders who were reportedly conscripted by force during M23’s earlier capture of Goma and Bukavu.

The army confirmed that the latest surrenders mark a significant step in efforts to stabilise the volatile eastern region, which has endured decades of insurgency and humanitarian crises. A military spokesperson urged remaining rebels to follow suit and join the national reintegration programme aimed at restoring lasting peace.

The development comes a week after the DRC government and M23 representatives met in Doha, Qatar, where both sides agreed to establish an oversight body to monitor progress towards a potential permanent ceasefire. The initiative builds on a July declaration committing to the restoration of state authority in the mineral-rich but conflict-torn provinces.

For years, the M23 has been one of the most formidable armed movements operating in eastern Congo, drawing widespread condemnation for human rights abuses and its alleged support from neighbouring Rwanda—an accusation Kigali has consistently denied. The rebellion, initially formed from a mutiny in 2012, has repeatedly destabilised the region and displaced millions.

According to the United Nations, the conflict in eastern DRC has forced over seven million people from their homes, creating one of the world’s most severe and prolonged humanitarian emergencies. Despite international mediation efforts, sporadic fighting has continued, often undermining fragile truces.

Local leaders in Goma and Bukavu have welcomed the latest surrender, describing it as “a signal of fatigue among the combatants” and a possible turning point if peace agreements are honoured. However, observers caution that lasting peace will depend on genuine political will, accountability, and the reintegration of former fighters into civilian life.

While the path forward remains uncertain, the surrender of nearly 40 M23 members is being viewed as a modest yet meaningful step towards ending one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts. In a region where hope is often fleeting, even incremental progress carries profound significance.