Timeline of the M23 campaign (2025)

This timeline of the M23 campaign (2022–present) covers the period from late-April 2025 to the present day.

Secretary Marco Rubio presiding over a Declaration of Principles signing ceremony with Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on 25 April 2025

On 30 April 2025, Congolese Justice Minister publicly declared in Kinshasa that he had procured "tangible evidence" implicating Joseph Kabila in collusion with M23 and accused him of treason, war crimes, and massacres of civilians and soldiers. He added that judicial proceedings await Senate approval to prosecute Kabila and seize his assets as a precaution.^[1] In response, Kabila, Moïse Katumbi, Martin Fayulu, and Delly Sesanga issued a joint communiqué calling for an inclusive national dialogue, supported by both the Conférence Épiscopale Nationale du Congo (CENCO) and the Église du Christ au Congo (ECC), and appealed for international engagement in the peace process.^[1] While welcoming the United States and Qatari peace efforts, they argued these alone were insufficient for lasting peace and emphasized the need for broad Congolese participation.^[1] They also raised concerns about a possible U.S.–DRC minerals deal, demanding full transparency, and called for the withdrawal of all foreign fighters and the return of displaced persons.^[1] Meanwhile, Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor for Africa to U.S. President Donald Trump, informed Reuters that France, Qatar, Togo, and the United States had established a joint security mechanism to monitor progress in both the DRC and Rwanda toward implementing a peace agreement grounded in the Declaration of Principles signed on 25 April.^[2] Boulos stated that finalizing U.S.–DRC and U.S.–Rwanda economic agreements is a precondition for signing the broader peace deal.^[2] He noted that significant investment interest from Western firms—estimated in the billions of U.S. dollars—depended on the ratification of these agreements.^[2] Boulos also reiterated that peace requires Rwanda's military withdrawal and the severance of its support for M23, while the DRC must respond to Rwanda's security concerns regarding anti-Rwandan militias. These conditions were expected to be resolved before the provisional peace agreement scheduled for signing on 2 May.^[2]

On 1 May, armed clashes erupted between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and Wazalendo in the city of Uvira. Hostilities commenced around 05:00 in the Kasenga neighborhood and quickly extended to Kakombe and surrounding hill areas.^[3] The outbreak of violence reportedly stemmed from a dispute over FARDC troop deployments to strategic high ground near existing Wazalendo positions.^[1][3] The FARDC intensified its military presence as intermittent gunfire persisted into the late morning.^[3]

On 2 May, Wazalendo launched a surprise attack on M23 in Kashovu, a village within the Bahunde Chiefdom in Masisi Territory, situated approximately 26 miles south of the mineral-rich town of Rubaya.^[4][5] They briefly drove out M23 rebels before being pushed back by a counteroffensive.^[4] The escalation of violence severely disrupted local mobility and incited widespread panic, effectively immobilizing residents, many of whom remained confined within their homes as the clashes spread across neighboring villages.^[4] That same day in Kinshasa, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa welcomed the first group of Congolese military and police personnel, along with their families, who had sought refuge in United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) compounds in Goma following the January M23 incursion into the city.^[6] Meanwhile, in Lubero Territory, M23 and Rwandan forces seized Lunyasenge, a town on Lake Edward's western shore, advancing both by land—from Vutsumbi and Kamandi Gite—and across the lake.^[7] Lunyasenge, a key fishing point four hours by boat from Kyavinyonge, sits along vital routes toward Butembo, Beni Territory, and the Uganda border via Kasindi-Lubiriha.^[7] Heavy clashes with FARDC followed, and images posted online showed FARDC casualties. The exact death toll remains indeterminate, but the town's capture triggered a significant civilian displacement.^[7]

On 3 May, FARDC officers deployed to Kyavinyonge to coordinate a counter-response as residents evacuated fisheries including Musenda and Kisaka, fleeing toward Kyavinyonge, Mubana, or Kasindi.^[7] Joël Vyalengekanya, who leads the Union of Shipowners, Individual Fishermen, and Environmentalists of Kyavinyonge, reported that the Ugandan navy intercepted nearly 70 Congolese fishermen and seized more than 200 canoe engines in recent months.^[7] On 4 May, South African Minister of Defence Thandi Modise, accompanied by General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of Staff of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), officially initiated the withdrawal of South African troops from the DRC.^[8] This action marked the beginning of the drawdown of forces deployed under the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).^[8] In Lubero Territory, FARDC spokesperson Colonel Mak Hazukay confirmed Lunyasenge's fall, condemning it as a "flagrant violation of the ceasefire", and cautioned that FARDC may retaliate if the rebels and their alleged Rwandan allies keep advancing.^[7] Meanwhile, heavy fighting erupted in Bwito Chiefdom—Lubwe Sud, Businene, Kabizo, and Mutanga—between CMC/FDP-affiliated Wazalendo groups and M23 fighters. Some reports said Wazalendo forces managed to repel the M23, though both parties incurred losses, and the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed.^[9]

On 5 May, M23 retook Kabizo, a town it had abandoned five to six months earlier.^[9] In Rutshuru Territory, M23 and RDF control key areas like Nroroba and parts of Tongo groupement, including the strategic Kanaba-Mulimbi axis linking Tongo and Kitshanga, while Wazalendo holds Bambo groupement.^[9] The same day, the DRC and Rwanda submitted a draft peace proposal under the Washington-led Declaration of Principles.^[10][11][12] Boulos welcomed the step as progress toward peace.^[10][11][12] Meanwhile, Wazalendo launched surprise attacks on M23 in Katogota and Kamanyola, triggering clashes that lasted eight hours in Rutebe, Kayange, and Luzinzi, leaving casualties on both sides and injuring civilians.^[13] In Bwito Chiefdom, a mishandled rocket by a local fighter exploded in a market in Bambo groupement, killing four people—including two women and a child—and injuring several others.^[14] On 6 May, M23 forces captured Luciga village in the mineral-rich Luhwinja Chiefdom, within Mwenga Territory, where Canadian-owned BANRO once operated before being acquired by Chinese-aligned corporations.^[15][16] The advance followed a brief clash in Lwashanja village, which M23 overtook before proceeding into Luciga. They then maneuvered toward BANRO's operational zones while simultaneously encircling the broader territory via Ngando and Chihumba-Kashanga, using Mparanyi as an entry point.^[15] Reports suggest that M23 militants dispersed into various villages, occupying four groupements—Luchiga, Kabalole, Luduha, and Idudwe—and received logistical reinforcements and arms shipments.^[15] Observers later sighted M23 units near the Twangiza mining site in Luchiga, having crossed the Lulimbohwe River to Buhamba, situated fewer than five kilometers from the processing facility.^[15] Luhwinja Chiefdom eventually fell with little resistance, marking M23's first foothold in Mwenga Territory after two days of fighting Wazalendo.^[17][18]

On 8 May, Twangiza Mining halted operations due to the rebel presence.^[19][20] That day, ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger concluded her first official visit to the DRC, meeting with senior officials in Kinshasa to discuss humanitarian challenges and the logistical transfer of hundreds of unarmed FARDC and Congolese National Police (PNC) personnel and their families from Goma to the capital.^[21]

On 9 May, Togolese president of the Council of Ministers Faure Gnassingbé met with a Qatari delegation to strengthen bilateral ties and mediate the Rwanda-DRC crisis.^[22] In Entebbe, Congolese Deputy Prime Minister Vital Kamerhe met with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to discuss eastern DRC's security, as part of a broader parliamentary mission focused on regional cooperation.^[23] In Kinshasa, the European Union's ambassador to the DRC Nicolás Berlanga-Martinez reaffirmed support for peace efforts and stressed the need for monitoring mechanisms. He also addressed EU-DRC partnerships, noting the DRC's right to explore ties with other nations, including the U.S.^[24]

On 10 May, violence escalated in Goma: Shagali Rushingwa was fatally shot in his home in Ndosho; two additional corpses were found in Kyeshero and Himbi; six people were wounded by gunfire in Katoyi and Mabanga North; and three decomposed corpses were discovered in a pit between Kasika and Mabanga Sud, showing signs of murder under unclear circumstances.^[25][26] M23 also conducted a cordon-and-search operation in Ndosho, resulting in the apprehension of dozens of people subsequently presented to the public at Stade de l'Unité in Karisimbi commune. M23 spokespersons claimed that some detainees were FARDC, Wazalendo, or FDLR members allegedly hiding among civilians.^[27]

On 11 May, four members of a single household were fatally shot and burned in their home in Kabale Katambi, located in the Rusayo groupement of Bukumu Chiefdom, during a raid by armed men clad in military uniforms.^[28] Later that evening, a young shopkeeper was killed in the Turunga neighboring.^[28] Additional sweep operations were launched by M23 units in the Rukoko and Katalengwa localities, which demarcate the boundary between Goma and Nyiragongo Territory.^[27]

On 12 May, a body was recovered in the Katoyi neighborhood of Karisimbi, and an M23-related shooting in Kyeshero left one driver dead and another wounded.^[28] M23's dominion over Goma and Nyiragongo Territory intensified as its combatants enforced curfews and conducted intrusive domiciliary inspections. On the Mugunga–Sake axis, within Masisi Territory, a military cordon was instituted.^[28][29] Roughly 2,000 people were arrested by M23 in Sake,^[30][31] and forcibly transferred to Goma, where a large number were subsequently deported to Rwanda.^[30] Despite possessing Congolese IDs, M23 burned the documents and forcibly deported 181 Hutu men, labeling them as "illegal Rwandan nationals".^[32] Arrests also proliferated throughout densely populated neighborhoods in Goma's northern zones, including Buhene, Don Bosco, Virunga, Katoyi, Kilijiwe, and Office 1.^[31] On 13 May, M23 forces arrested approximately 100 people from the adjacent villages of Ngangi 2 and Ngangi 3, positioned near the Goma–Nyiragongo boundary. Detainees were reportedly held on diverse grounds, ranging from alleged affiliations with the FARDC or Wazalendo to the absence of identification credentials, or due to subjective markers of nonconformity—including the presence of dreadlocks.^[27] The detainees were transported to Don Bosco Stadium in Nyiragongo Territory, where M23 forces reportedly conducted individualized interrogations. Those who successfully substantiated their noninvolvement were released, while others were transferred to undisclosed locations.^[27] These operations severely disrupted civilian life, preventing many from accessing their workplaces and threatening the livelihoods of affected families.^[27] In Walikale Territory, during an M23-led search operation, rebels apprehended and subsequently executed two civilians in Kibati, within the Luberike groupement of Wanianga Sector, amid a market raid.^[33] Simultaneously, in Kalehe Territory, hostilities flared along the Kasheke-Lemera axis where Wazalendo repelled M23 units, forcing their withdrawal from Katasomwa to the port zones of Kasheke and Tchofi.^[34] In Nyiragongo Territory, a MONUSCO convoy en route from Munigi (Bukumu Chiefdom) to Kitchanga suffered a fatal accident when one vehicle veered off the road and fell into a ravine, killing a Moroccan peacekeeper from the Moroccan Rapid Deployment Battalion (MORRDB) and a Congolese language assistant.^[35][36] Four other Moroccan troops were injured and hospitalized in Goma.^[35][36]

On 14 May, renewed clashes erupted across Kalehe Territory. Bolstered by reinforcements from Bukavu and Goma and supplied with munitions, M23 launched operations to dislodge Wazalendo along National Road 2—a key route linking Bukavu to Goma.^[34] As the conflict intensified, civilians fled to the islets of Ihoka and Ishovu, while others sought refuge in Kajuchu, located in the neighboring Kabare Territory.^[34] A report by the Goma and Karisimbi communal youth councils, covering the period from 25 April to 10 May, recorded at least 15 deaths, 110 homes attacked, nine bodies found, four kidnappings, six gunshot injuries, and three cases of mob justice—mainly in the neighborhoods of Mugunga, Ndosho, Kasika, Mabanga, Bujovu, Lac-Vert, Kyeshero, Himbi, Katindo, and Mapendo.^[37] Victims were reportedly targeted by M23 in military uniform.^[37] On 15 May, the Senate began reviewing an indictment request against President Kabila—not as former president, but as senator for life. The military prosecutor accused him of aiding M23's expansion through political and logistical support, citing remarks he made in a February 2025 Sunday Times interview praising the group, and his plans to re-enter DRC via M23-held areas.^[38] Key testimony came from Éric Nkuba Shebandu, a former advisor to Corneille Nangaa, who claimed to overhear Kabila in May 2023 advising Rwanda to destabilize President Tshisekedi politically rather than assassinate him.^[38] Kabila faces charges of insurrection, treason, war crimes complicity, and breaching legal duties tied to his former office.^[38] A Senate committee was formed to review the case within 72 hours, though internal disagreement emerged.^[39] Many legal experts and civil society voices argue that only Congress—not the Senate—can lift a former president's immunity under current law.^[39] That night, two local officers were murdered by unidentified gunmen on CEAVI Avenue in the Mugunga neighborhood of Karisimbi.^[40]

On 16 May, four people were killed and several injured in an armed attack on a pharmacy in Katoyi, Goma.^[41]  The following day, M23 rebels attacked Wazalendo positions in Butare (Tongo groupement) and Koojo (Bukombo groupement) in Bwito Chiefdom. These clashes followed intense fighting in Bambo and Mutanda, where civilian casualties had been reported.^[42] That day, President Gnassingbé hosted AU mediators in Lomé to unify peace efforts for eastern DRC. Former leaders including Oluṣẹgun Ọbasanjọ, Uhuru Kenyatta, Mokgweetsi Masisi, Catherine Samba-Panza, and Sahle-Work Zewde pledged to merge the Nairobi and Luanda processes and coordinate with EAC, SADC, and Qatar.^[43] On 18 May, nine civilians were injured by shrapnel in Rukamba and Kagano in Rutshuru Territory amid M23–Wazalendo clashes.^[44] Rebel forces reportedly launched explosive projectiles from their positions in Kahunga, situated within Virunga National Park, targeting the towns of Kirumba and Kagando approximately 30 kilometers away.^[44] Meanwhile, in Masisi Territory, three civilians lost their lives and ten others sustained injuries during a violent incident in Katoyi.^[45] The assailant, allegedly intoxicated, was identified as a member of Obedi Makuba's faction. The shooting stemmed from an internal dispute with PARECO over the control of unauthorized roadblocks, which escalated into gunfire.^[45]

On 19 May, the Senate Bureau appointed a 40-member special committee, chaired by Christophe Lutundula, to assess Kabila's indictment. The panel had three days to complete its closed-door probe.^[46] Kabila, reportedly abroad, was summoned for 20 May but did not respond.^[46] Meanwhile, insecurity persisted in M23-controlled areas. Overnight on 19–20 May, three people were killed: Augustin Miruho was fatally shot during a home invasion in Bugamba (Nyiragongo Territory); an unidentified body was found near CBCA Hospital in Kyeshero (Hôpital CBCA); and a suspected burglar was killed near Anuarite High School, while his accomplice fled.^[47]

Also on 19 May, 786 Rwandan refugees were repatriated through Goma's Grande Barrière border post in an operation coordinated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and M23. Most of these refugees had fled Rwanda during the 1994 genocide and had been residing in a displacement camp in Sake since M23 seized Goma in January.^[32] Security sources indicated that M23 obstructed their return to Karhenga and forcibly sent them back to Rwanda.^[32] Simultaneously, in Walikale Territory, M23 rebels allegedly arrested and beat a man to death in Kashebere, though the motive remains unclear.^[48] On 22 May, the Senate lifted Kabila's lifetime immunity, with a vote tally of 88 in favor, 5 abstentions, and 3 total votes.^[49][50][51] Meanwhile, the UNHCR continued repatriation efforts, sending back another 610 Rwandan refugees, which raised the total number to 1,710.^[52] On 23 May, Kabila addressed the nation online, calling the crisis "deep and multidimensional", and criticized Kinshasa for acting on false reports of his presence in Goma.^[53]

On 24 May, violence surged in Goma: a motorcycle taxi driver was shot in Virunga, a lynching occurred in Himbi, and a commissioner's son was killed in Ndosho.^[54] In Lac Vert, armed assailants looted a home, sexually assaulted and abducted a girl named Dorcas, and tortured volunteers responding to the attack.^[54] On 25 May, M23 launched attacks on Wazalendo and FARDC positions in Lushebere, between Kishishe and Kirima in Bwito Chiefdom, after advancing along the Lushebere–Kishishe–Bambo axis.^[55] Approximately ten bodies were recovered in Kirumba, Rukano, and Kagambi—border villages between the Tongo and Bambo groupements—several of the victims were reportedly killed in their homes or yards. Five additional civilians sustained injuries during the attacks.^[56] That same day, Kabila was confirmed to have arrived in M23-controlled Goma, a development acknowledged by rebel leadership.^[57][58] The youth-led Ligue Civile de Défense de la Patrie (LCDP) denounced Kabila's arrival, characterizing it as a betrayal and accusing the former president of aligning with hostile forces against the nation.^[59]

On 26 May, clashes resumed in Virunga National Park near Kibingu and Runzenze in the Bambo groupement, as M23 targeted Wazalendo and FDLR fighters, raiding villages and displacing more civilians toward Bambo.^[56] In Walikale Territory, M23 seized control of Bukumbirwa, Rusamambu, Kilambo, and Ngengere in Muronga locality (Ikobo groupement), following engagements with Wazalendo forces, who retreated to Misinga.^[60] Local leaders condemned the advance as a violation of the ceasefire meant to support ongoing peace initiatives.^[60] In Goma, Dr. Paluku Musumba Obadi, chief medical officer of Karisimbi health zone, was seriously injured in a shooting at his home in Virunga, hit in the hip, back, and foot,^[61] and later died from his injuries in Nairobi on 5 July.^[62] On 27 May, Amnesty International issued a report condemning M23 for committing human rights violations in Goma and Bukavu, including the extrajudicial execution of civilians, torture, and the abuse of detainees.^[63][64] The report described the use of incommunicado detention in unsanitary conditions, denial of food, water, and medical care, and the arbitrary arrest of individuals accused—often without evidence—of supporting government forces, collaborating with civil society, or criticizing M23.^[63] Some individuals were also reportedly subjected to forced recruitment. Amnesty documented cases in which families were required to pay ransoms exceeding $2,000 to secure the release of detainees.^[63] That same day in Masisi Territory, at least 12 decomposed bodies were discovered in the village of Kiringi. The victims were believed to be civilians killed during the 23 May clashes between M23 and Wazalendo. Several homes were also reported burned during the violence.^[56] In Bwito Chiefdom, clashes between M23 rebels and local armed groups intensified in the villages of the Tongo groupement—Marangara, Rukarara, Kabingu—and in villages near the Bambu groupement, injuring at least two civilians, including an 11-year-old girl who was hit by a stray bullet.^[65] That same day, at least 29 civilians who had been killed over the preceding six days were interred in the villages of Kirumba, Lukarara, Rukano, and Kagando, situated within the Tongo and Bambo groupements, with an additional six victims buried in Runzenze. The violence also destroyed homes and settlements, looted livestock and belongings, and saw young villagers taken hostage by M23 to carry stolen goods.^[66]

On 28 May, Wazalendo forces from the Coalition des Mouvements pour le Changement (CMC) launched an offensive in Ngerere to retake Rusamambu, Bukumbirwa, Kishonjia, and Kilambo.^[67] By 30 May, M23 had seized several villages in Walikale Territory after intense clashes, capturing all six villages of Ikobo groupement—Iremya, Mirungi, Kanune, Banamuronga, Kalehe, and Kitanda—and establishing positions in Irimba, Kanune, Rusamambu, Bukumbirwa, Kilambo, and Busunzu.^[68] The rebels also advanced into Kisimba groupement, seizing Musambo, Kyanjikiro, Katobo, Ihula, Mbukuru, Mukohwa, Ngambi, and Buhimba, raising fears they aim to encircle and capture Pinga. Wazalendo forces retreated to Kashukano, Kisone, and Busaka.^[68]

On 1 June, Radio Okapi reported that from 26–31 May, 38 civilians—including women and children—were killed in Mutanda groupement under M23 control. At least 543 houses were burned by M23 rebels accusing residents of FDLR ties, while Wazalendo retaliated by torching homes in Butare village, alleging support for M23.^[69] In Goma, residents discovered a gunshot-wounded body in a small bush on the western outskirts of the Karisimbi's Mugunga neighborhood, and witnesses, who said the victim was part of a Christian group praying on a nearby hill where M23 rebels had reportedly blocked access, suspect that M23 fighters were responsible.^[70]

In diplomatic developments, the DRC was elected Vice-President of the 80th United Nations General Assembly on 2 June.^[71][72][73] That same day, at least 18 people, including students, were abducted during clashes between M23 and Wazalendo fighters in Fizi village, in the Mbinga-Sud groupement, Kalehe Territory.^[74] In Goma, a young girl's body was found in Les Volcans, and in Karisimbi's Katoyi neighborhood, a suspected thief was lynched and burned by local youths.^[70] The U.S., France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Japan, Canada, Great Britain, and the EU expressed deep concern over the worsening challenges faced by humanitarian actors in eastern DRC, condemned the M23's illegal imposition of taxes, and urged all parties, including the Congolese government and armed groups, to allow aid delivery to affected populations.^[75] However, tensions rose on 3 June when the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (Mécanisme Conjoint de Vérification Élargi, MCVE), a regional monitoring body under the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), held a meeting in Goma with M23 representatives.^[76] The Congolese government condemned the meeting as a breach of peace agreements with the DRC embassy in Burundi issuing a formal request for clarification from the ICGLR.^[76] That day, Human Rights Watch reported that M23 executed at least 21 civilians in Goma on 22-23 February.^[77] Meanwhile, Christian Bosembe, president of the Higher Council for Audiovisual and Communication (Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel et de la communication; CSAC), announced that Congolese media outlets are banned from reporting on President Kabila or the activities of PPRD.^[78]

On 4 June, the DRC was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term, receiving 183 of 187 votes.^[79][80][81] On the ground, armed violence continued as a money transfer agent in the Goma commune's Himbi neighborhood was fatally shot in broad daylight by unidentified armed men who stole a bag containing a large amount of money.^[82] Between 4 and 5 June, Wazalendo forces ousted M23 rebels from Mabingu, a village on the Kabare–Kalehe border.^[83] The conflict soon spread to four villages in the Mubuku groupement of Buhavu Chiefdom, including Murangu and Chirimiro, as well as the Kachikauma and Mushunguti road corridors.^[83] As they retreated, M23 rebels conducted mass arrests near Kahuzi-Biéga National Park, killing one civilian and injuring a woman and an 11-year-old girl. Raids continued along the Kasheke axis, forcing residents of Tchofi, Kasheke, and Luzira in the Mbinga Sud groupement to flee to Idjwi Island, Kajuchu, and the islets of Ihoka and Ishovu.^[83] That same day, a woman's body was found in the Goma commune's Lac Vert neighborhood.^[82]

On 6 June, FARDC and Wazalendo captured the strategically important hill of Nkobe in Kisimba groupement, Walikale Territory, following intense fighting. The hill provides oversight of the villages of Kalinga and Kisone, both of which were also taken by government forces.^[84] M23 subsequently withdrew to Ikobo, where they fortified positions in Rusamambu and Bukumbirwa.^[84] On the same day, NBC News published a report alleging that Rwanda had secretly deployed more than 5,000 troops into eastern DRC in support of the M23 rebellion.^[85] The report, based on satellite imagery, leaked documents, and eyewitness accounts, claimed Rwanda had established military bases inside DRC territory, supplied heavy weaponry, and disguised its soldiers to avoid detection. The report also accused Rwanda of concealing its battlefield casualties.^[85] On 7 June, M23 forces reportedly looted essential equipment from the Lemera tea factory in Kalehe Territory, transporting machinery used for cultivating, harvesting, and drying tea to an undisclosed location.^[86]

On 8 June, Rwanda withdrew from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), a move that coincided with stalled peace talks aimed at resolving the security crisis in eastern DRC.^[87][88] The withdrawal was widely perceived as indicative of Rwanda's diminishing diplomatic leverage, particularly given mounting evidence of its support for the M23 insurgency and its military operations within DRC borders.^[89][88] Several media outlets deliberated on the ramifications of Rwanda's actions, with some emphasizing the successes of Congolese diplomacy, while others questioned the political future of President Kagame both domestically and internationally.^[89][88] On 9 June, the CSAC issued an edict forbidding the media from broadcasting information pertaining to the activities of the aggressors and their M23 affiliates.^[90] On 10 June, the US issued a demand for Rwanda to withdraw its troops from eastern DRC before a peace agreement could be signed.^[91][92] However, heavy fighting ensued in Rutshuru and Walikale Territories, during which a 10-year-old girl was killed in Nyamilima (Rutshuru Territory), and approximately ten homes were damaged by bomb shrapnel.^[93] M23 rebels arrested several civilians after Wazalendo forces retreated, and in Mulema (Walikale Territory) and Mugogo (Rutshuru Territory), more homes were burned, displacing many residents. Between 18 May and 10 June, over 600 houses were destroyed, at least 75 people killed, and 42 injured across more than 26 villages in Bwito Chiefdom, particularly in the Bukombo, Tongo, and Bambo groupements.^[93]

On 11 June, thousands of customers at the M23-operated CADECO bank in Goma struggled to access their savings due to the suspension of withdrawal services since the beginning of June.^[94] Only deposits were allowed, though minimal deposits were made. The bank, nearly devoid of funds, attributed its cash shortage after serving April–May clients, limited access to Central Bank reserves, and a dearth of new deposit activity.^[94] On 12 June, Bintou Keita, the DRC's Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of MONUSCO, arrived in Goma, where she met with MONUSCO personnel, local organizations—including women's groups—and M23 representatives to discuss the priorities of MONUSCO's mandate, particularly the protection of civilians.^[95][96][97] In Sake, M23 rebels arrested over 150 youths during a forced cordon operation.^[98] In Butembo, FARDC captured a self-proclaimed general, Kasereka Kasiano, also known as Kabido, leader of the armed group Front des patriotes pour la paix – Armée du peuple (FPP-AP), although the military didn't make a public statement. Authorities describe him as a longtime feared Mai-Mai commander in Lubero Territory and Beni Territory who pledged allegiance to M23 in March.^[99]

On 16 June, clashes between M23 rebels and CMC broke out on the hills of Bumbasha and Bunkuba, located 10 kilometers from Mwesso, in the Bukombo groupement of Bwito Chiefdom, resulting in widespread displacement.^[100] In Bukavu, a group of more than twelve armed assailants raided the home of the Mâcha Balemba family in the Ndendere neighborhood of Ibanda, torturing the occupants and stealing large sums of money, gold, phones, and other valuables. The victims sustained injuries from bullets, machetes, and knives.^[101] Volker Türk, the UNHCR, condemned the scale of abuses in eastern DRC as "serious", "alarming", and of "appalling magnitude".^[102] On 17 June, clashes in Mushebere (Rutshuru Territory) between CMC and M23 left 18 homes burned, a health center torched in Kanyatsi, and a local dignitary arrested.^[103] In Walungu Territory, six staff members from the NGO V-Day were abducted by M23 amid a broader offensive that provoked widespread displacement.^[104] Meanwhile, in Kabare Territory, four bodies—three wrapped in bags floating on Lake Kivu—were found alongside three AK-47 rifles without magazines.^[105]

On 18 June, HRW called on Rwanda and M23 for an immediate end to the forced transfers of Congolese civilians and Rwandan refugees, characterizing these actions as war crimes.^[30] Over 1,500 people have reportedly been forcibly deported in violation of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the transfer of civilians from occupied territories, regardless of motive.^[30] That same day, Congolese and Rwandan experts in Washington, D.C., signed a preliminary peace deal, paving the way for a formal agreement scheduled for final ratification on 27 June, pending approval by both countries' foreign ministers.^{[106][107][108][109]} Meanwhile, fighting escalated in Kabare Territory as Wazalendo attempted to push back M23 in Cirunga, Mumosho, and Katana, leaving two dead in Cirunga.^[110] Simultaneously, in Walikale Territory, battles between M23 and Wazalendo-aligned militiamen from the Collectif des Mouvements pour le Changement/Force d'Autodéfense du Peuple Congolais (CMC/FAPC), commanded by self-styled General Jonas Bigabo—sparked mass displacement in Ikobo groupement, with residents fleeing Kateku, Buleusa, and Bukumbirwa after deadly clashes.^[111] Civilian casualties were reported, though the full toll remains unknown.^[111]

On 20 June, UPDF Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba met with FARDC Chief of Staff Jules Banza Mwilambwe in Kinshasa to assess the joint military operation Shujaa against the ADF and to review the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) governing cooperation in North Kivu and Ituri, including road reconstruction efforts along the Kasindi–Beni–Kisangani axis.^{[112][113][114]} The revised MoU expands operations into Mambasa and targets armed groups in Djugu, Irumu, Mahagi, and Aru.^[115][116] Despite M23's coercive cordon enforcement operations across Goma, rampant banditry persists, as that day in Karisimbi, Germain Kakule Issevalwana Ngwabi, the chief of Bulende Avenue, was assassinated near his residence in the Kasika neighborhood by armed assailants who arrived in a taxi, fired multiple rounds, and subsequently robbed nearby civilians before fleeing the scene.^[117] Elsewhere, assailants on motorcycles launched an armed assault on currency exchangers operating near the Mutinga station—straddling the Katoyi and Majengo neighborhoods—injuring two people and stealing cash before discharging their weapons indiscriminately to incite chaos.^[118] This incident marked the third such motorcycle-borne robbery in Goma that week.^[118] In Masisi Territory, Wazalendo launched an offensive against M23 positions in Kasopo, with clashes continuing into 21 June. Eight Wazalendo fighters were injured, while M23 casualties remain unknown.^[119]

On 22 June, FARDC reported the extrajudicial execution of 17 civilians in Munzinzi village, Ngweshe Chiefdom, by RDF–M23 forces, who also torched homes and caused mass displacement. FARDC condemned the act as a "pogrom" and called for vigilance.^[120][121] In Rutshuru Territory, the CMC denounced artillery strikes on several towns, including Nyarubande, Burambo, Muhanga, Kihondo-center, and Kiyeye, pledging retribution. Clashes also flared near Katsiru between M23 and CMC.^[122] On 23 June, CMC attacked M23-held Nyabiondo in Masisi Territory, prompting return fire and widespread panic.^[123] That same day, two unidentified bodies were found in Sake and Kimoka after reported gunfire between M23 and unknown assailants.^[124] In Rutshuru Territory, M23 and CMC forces clashed across Bambo, Bukombo, and Tongo in Bwito Chiefdom, leaving two dead and four injured, including civilians. In Mushebere village, 18 houses were set ablaze and half the population fled.^[125] Local civil society in Bambo observed that M23's objective was to capture CMC-controlled Kiyeye, securing the vital Nyarubande–Mweso road for the expansion of their military operations.^[125] On 24 June, CMC forces attacked M23 positions in Kashuga and Kalembe/Kalonge near the Walikale–Masisi border but retreated, leaving M23 in control. Similarly, M23 launched multiple artillery strikes on the villages of Katsiru, Kavumu, and Birambizo, targeting Kiyeye.^[126]

On 26 June, the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights ruled in favor of the DRC, rejecting Rwanda's preliminary objections and affirming its jurisdiction to adjudicate the Congolese state's claims of human rights violations, military aggression, and mass atrocities in the eastern region.^[127] This legal milestone opened the door to formal investigations and marked the first formal judicial inquiry by a continental body into inter-state allegations between African nations. Rwanda was granted 90 days to submit its defense, while Congolese officials hailed the ruling as a key step toward justice and accountability.^[127]

Foreign Ministers Wagner and Nduhungirehe at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., during the peace agreement signing ceremony hosted by Secretary Rubio on 27 June 2025.

On 27 June, the DRC and Rwanda signed a U.S.-mediated peace agreement in Washington, attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Foreign Ministers Thérèse Wagner and Olivier Nduhungirehe formalized the accord, concluding months of diplomatic negotiations aimed at reducing tensions and conflict in eastern DRC.^{[128][129][130][131]} In response, Nangaa acknowledged the agreement but characterized it as a limited but useful step, asserting that it failed to address the conflict's deeper causes and dismissing the framing of the crisis as a mere Kinshasa–Kigali dispute. Nangaa reiterated M23's support for the Doha peace process as the only viable path to direct talks with the Congolese government.^[132] Nevertheless, M23 captured the Kaniola center on 28 June following renewed confrontations with Wazalendo forces. Broader clashes were concurrently reported across Walungu Territory, encompassing Mulamba, Muzinzi, Bwahungu, Kaniola, Mubone, and Cihambe.^[133] In Masisi Territory, M23 engaged Wazalendo in Bugabo, subsequently bolstering their defensive posture in Kasopo with additional personnel and ordnance.^[134] Rebel combatants were also sighted in Kashebere and Kibati, located in the Luberike groupement of Walikale Territory.^[134] Meanwhile, in Rutshuru Territory, M23 militants skirmished with VDP-aligned CMC forces in Birambizo village within the Bukombo groupement.^[135][136]

In the M23-occupied city of Goma, violent criminality persisted as a young videographer, Dieu Merci Black, was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in Birere, specifically on Kiboko Avenue within the Mikeno quarter. Two of his companions sustained injuries.^[137] In the Majengo quarter of Karisimbi commune, a female currency exchanger was also killed.^[137] On 29 June, in Walikale Territory, Wazalendo abducted two M23 commanders near the villages of Kirumburumbu and Muuli while they traversed the Ikobo groupement. The captives were subsequently transported to Buhimba, Wazalendo's operational headquarters.^[138] On 30 June, M23 insurgents launched a failed search operation in the adjacent forests and compelled local farmers to vacate their fields to facilitate the hunt.^[138] In Rutshuru Territory, M23 and CMC fighters clashed across Munguli (Kihondo groupement) and Kikuro (Tongo groupement) in Bwito Chiefdom, with heavy gunfire reported.^[139] At least six homes were burned in Karambi, and one wounded civilian was abducted from an MSF ambulance en route to Mweso.^[139] In Goma, Dr. John Mukebayi, a physician at Kirotshe Hospital, was lethally stabbed in his home by unidentified armed men.^[140] Near Minembwe in Fizi Territory, the Congolese Air Force (Force Aérienne Congolaise; FAC) intercepted and downed an unknown aircraft that had entered Congolese airspace. It was reportedly attempting to assist enemy groups and was targeted after being tracked by military radar as it neared a conflict area.^[141]

On 1 July, notwithstanding mounting international condemnation of its coercive operations against civilians, M23 executed its fourth such incursion in Sake, arresting at least 20 people—mostly young men—and wounding two others.^[142] Rebel forces encircled neighborhoods including Mosquée, Virunga, Bikali, and Ndolero, herding residents to a local stadium for identity verification. The detainees were accused of affiliations with FARDC, Wazalendo, and the FDLR, and were reportedly transferred to Goma.^[142] That same day in Walikale Territory, M23 attacked Wazalendo positions in Chanjikiro (Kisimba groupement), killing a 15-year-old girl and triggering new displacement.^[143] Recently returned villagers fled again, but Wazalendo repelled the assault and retained control of Chanjikiro.^[143] Meanwhile, in Iremya, CMC arrested two local leaders, Mutobe Sebasichi and Witonze Sebijumbo, accusing them of ties to M23—claims their families deny.^[144]

On 2 July, M23 executed a young male accused of theft in the village of Nyabiondo, Masisi Territory. He was first bound and subjected to mob violence before being summarily shot in the head at close range.^[145] The incident, recorded and disseminated online, was proclaimed by the group as "exemplary justice", provoking horror and dread among the local population.^[145] A contemporaneous UN report unveiled escalating internal dissension within the M23 hierarchy, attributed to contested leadership appointments and rumors surrounding the political resurgence of President Kabila. Rwanda was allegedly preparing to reinstate Laurent Nkunda to a high-ranking post within M23 to restore unity and public favor.^[146] The report also adds that figures such as Kabila, Katumbi, and John Numbi had maintained communications with Nangaa as well as officials in Kigali and Kampala. M23 had also succeeded in assimilating multiple local militias, including dissident Wazalendo factions, to bolster its territorial expansion across North and South Kivu.^[146]

On 3 July, M23 rebels burned the village of Buhimba in the Banamulema locality of Kisimba groupement, Walikale Territory. Rebel forces were ultimately repelled as far as Rusamambu and Bukumbirwa in the neighboring Ikobo groupement. However, during their retreat, M23 elements torched Buhimba, reducing homes, educational facilities, and houses of worship to ashes.^[147] In Goma, M23 arrested several men arriving by boat from Kalehe at Kituku market in Kyeshero and detained them in a fenced compound, with vendors among those taken. Other travelers on Lake Kivu were also intercepted and forcibly removed from their boats by M23.^[148] In Walikale Territory, M23 continued to entrench its positions, especially in Kisimba groupement, Wanianga sector. Reinforcements, including personnel and ammunition, were deployed to Mpety, in Banakindi locality, originating from the Kitshanga–Mweso–Kalembe axis.^[149] The group was planning an offensive on Pinga to capture the town and its airstrip, aiming to secure an additional supply route.^[149] The GOMA+ Weekly Report—compiled by the youth councils of Goma, Nyiragongo, and Rutshuru—noted that from 7 June to 3 July, there were 47 killings by gunfire, 75 sexual assaults, 14 kidnappings, and 66 lootings.^[150] The report also mentioned 63 house burnings, 25 weapon-related injuries, forced youth enlistment into M23, unlawful detentions, and unauthorized occupation of private property, mainly targeting political and military figures.^[150] On the diplomatic front, Boulos announced that a new phase of talks between the Congolese government and M23 would be held in Doha with Qatari mediation. The negotiations will focus on respecting territorial integrity, ending hostilities, disarming and reintegrating armed groups under certain conditions, and establishing a joint security coordination mechanism.^[151]

On 4 July, M23 mobilized reinforcements to Kibati in the Luberike groupement of Walikale Territory, deploying personnel and munitions through several transport trucks in preparation for further territorial advances.^[152] Simultaneously, tensions erupted between the Nduma Defense of Congo-Rénové (NDC-R), led by Guidon Shimiray Mwissa, and the CMC faction under Bigabo's leadership. Both factions, once allied, engaged in mutual recriminations on social media, accusing each other of collaboration with M23 and of maligning other armed actors.^[153] This former alliance then deteriorated into open rivalry, with near-armed confrontations occurring twice in Pinga amid rising hostilities.^[153] On 5 July, a FARDC captain fatally shot Lungele Mbiso, communications coordinator for South Kivu's governor Jean Jacques Purusi. An enraged crowd later lynched the soldier on Tupendane Avenue after he discarded his weapon and attempted to flee.^[154] On 6 July, FARDC and Wazalendo forces clashed with M23 on Fungura Hill in Kisimba groupement, Walikale Territory, following a patrol encounter. Intense gunfire triggered the displacement of civilians in Katobi and Mera villages.^[155]

On 8 July, unidentified armed men abducted Elias Kaombi, the village chief of Bussi within the M23-held Luberike groupement.^[156] In Masisi Territory, M23 forces launched an assault on positions held by Nyatura fighters affiliated with the ANCDH (Alliance des Nationalistes Congolais pour la Défense des Droits Humains), a Wazalendo-aligned militia led by Jean-Marie Bonané.^[157] The clashes occurred in the villages of Kalungu and Kinyana within the Bashali-Mokoto groupement. M23 temporarily dislodged the Nyatura forces from the nearby locality of Bupfuhi, which was reportedly set ablaze. However, ANCDH fighters mounted a counteroffensive later that evening, regaining control of their positions and forcing M23 to retreat.^[157] In Walikale Territory, militia led by self-proclaimed General Mudayonga withdrew from Mishipo (Makungurano, Waloa Loanda groupement), but vowed to return, claiming ownership of the land.^[158] He issued an ultimatum for villagers to vacate before his return, with locals, uncertain of the land's previous ownership, accusing him of terrorizing them and calling on authorities to increase security.^[158] On July 3, residents had already warned of Mudayonga's arrival with about 100 armed men, reportedly linked to the FDLR, aiming to forcibly displace them under the guise of land rights.^[158] Meanwhile, insecurity remains rampant in M23-held Goma, with four civilians wounded by gunfire and a motorbike taxi driver killed and robbed between 8–9 July, followed by another taxi driver shot dead in Kasika on 9 July, and gunmen killing a money changer's wife in Katoyi after failing to find him.^[159] That same day, peace negotiations between the Congolese government and M23 resumed, with representatives from both parties convening in Doha to continue diplomatic efforts.^[160] According to sources close to the Congolese delegation, the Rwandan government, through its M23 proxy, proposed exclusive control over North Kivu and South Kivu provinces for a period of eight years. The proposal included full administrative, political, and security authority. The Congolese government rejected the offer outright, denouncing it as an unacceptable bid for the "soft balkanization" of the country.^[161] Meanwhile, President Trump announced that a landmark peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda would be signed by the end of July in Washington, with Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame expected to formalize the accord.^[162] In Masisi Territory, clashes reignited between M23 and Wazalendo in the villages of Shoa and Burora, within the Buabo groupement, after patrol units from both sides encountered each other.^[163] In Kinshasa, General Christian Tshiwewe Songesha, former Chief of Staff of the FARDC, was arrested on suspicions of plotting against the head of state.^{[164][165][166]} His aide-de-camp, Colonel Adelart Mwiza, was also taken into custody.^[165][166]

On 10 July, Wazalendo launched an offensive to reclaim Nyamilima, but were decisively repulsed by M23. During the clash, one civilian was killed by a stray bullet.^[167] In Walikale Territory, M23 rebels originating from Ihula attacked Wazalendo positions in Mitembe/Katobo, located in the Banamulindwa locality of the Kisimba groupement. However, Wazalendo forces successfully repelled the assault and drove the M23 combatants back to Ihula.^[168] In Lubero Territory, M23 rebels vandalized the civil registry of Bamate Chiefdom in Mambasa-Mavuno (about 60 kilometers from Lubero), destroying all administrative records.^[169] Former Lubero provincial deputy Aisé Kanendu condemned the act as an attempt to destabilize traditional authority and erase local history. He warned that the destruction would impede future governance, even after peace is restored.^[169] In Kalehe Territory, M23 clashed with Wazalendo in Kasheke and Buzunga along the Kasheke–Lemera axis, where M23 attempted to seize control of National Road 2 (RN2), a key route linking Bukavu and Goma.^[170] Meanwhile, the Ugandan government reopened the Bunagana and Ishasa border posts with the DRC, linking Kisoro District to Rutshuru Territory, without informing Congolese authorities, prompting a diplomatic protest. The move raised concerns, as Bunagana remains under M23 control, and Uganda pledged to issue an official statement.^[171]

On 11 July, a young volunteer night guard was shot and killed during a community patrol in Goma, where rising crime has forced local youth to take on security roles due to the absence of police.^[172] In Kabare Territory, between 11–12 July, M23 and RDF units killed five civilians in Karambi in retaliation for the alleged killing of one of their fighters. Among the victims were two teachers and others suspected of ties to Wazalendo militias.^[173] On 12 July, a joint M23–RDF coalition attacked FARDC positions in the localities of Kamatembe and Kalao (Kalehe Territory).^[174] On 14 July, fighting erupted in Shoa, Masisi Territory, as M23 rebels launched an attack against Wazalendo fighters from the Alliance des Patriotes pour un Congo Libre et Souverain (APCLS), led by Janvier Buingo Karairi, known as General Janvier.^[175] M23 reinforcements were seen arriving from Nyabiondo in Masisi Territory and Kashebere in Walikale Territory,^[175] but were ultimately repelled and forced to withdraw.^[176] In Walikale Territory, Wazalendo combatants from Banamulema (Kisimba groupement) attempted to dislodge M23 from the localities of Rusamambu and Bukumbirwa in the Ikobo groupement.^[177] However, after two days of intense fighting, Wazalendo forces were unable to regain control and withdrew, leaving both areas under M23 occupation.^[177] Meanwhile, in Kalehe Territory, joint M23–RDF forces launched attacks on FARDC positions in Kashihe, while additional assaults were carried out in Mwendabandu (Masisi Territory) and Batanga (Kabare Territory).^[174] On 15 July, General Joseph Mugisa Muleka was appointed as the new commander of the Sokola 1 operational sector in Greater North Kivu, based in Beni, replacing Major General Nyembo Abdallah, who was recently reassigned to Beni after serving in Ituri.^[178]

On 16 July, President Kagame presided over a cabinet meeting at Urugwiro Village, where he ratified the peace agreement signed between Rwanda and the DRC on 27 June. Rwanda reiterated its commitment to the agreement's implementation and praised the ongoing negotiations in Doha, facilitated by Qatar and supported by the AU, as complementary to the Washington accord.^[179] That same day, Qatar's Minister of State for Interior Affairs, Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohammed Al-Thani, held separate meetings in Doha with Rwanda's Interior Minister, Vincent Biruta, and the DRC's Deputy Prime Minister for Interior, Security, Decentralization, and Customary Affairs, Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo, with discussions centering on strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing the DRC–M23 peace process.^[180] Meanwhile, negotiations continued between delegations led by Sumbu Sita Mambu, President Tshisekedi's High Representative, and Benjamin Bonimpa, head of the M23 delegation.^[180] On 17 July, Boulos met with Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, to review strategic relations between Doha and Washington and coordinate diplomatic engagement on various African matters, including the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC.^[181] In Walungu Territory, M23 rebels were accused by provincial MP Béatrice Nanvano of killing over 19 civilians in Bukera village, including nine members of the same family, who were struck by a shell fired from rebel positions. Provincial MP Justin Rukingira Munguakonkwa confirmed the attack and called for an immediate response.^[182] That same day, the DRC formally summoned Uganda's ambassador to protest Kampala's unilateral decision to reopen border posts in territories under M23 control, without prior coordination. The protest, led by Foreign Minister Kayikwamba, followed directives issued during the 51st session of the Congolese Council of Ministers and reaffirmed Kinshasa's insistence on defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity.^[183]

On 19 July, the DRC and M23 signed a Declaration of Principles in Doha, witnessed by Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The agreement reaffirmed both parties' commitment to peaceful negotiation, respect for the DRC's sovereignty, and adherence to international legal frameworks. The accord established an immediate ceasefire, prohibiting all military aggression, acts of sabotage, hate speech, and territorial expansion. A joint mechanism was put in place to monitor compliance.^{[184][185][186]} The declaration includes confidence-building measures, such as a detainee release process with ICRC support, and calls for the dignified return of refugees. It also ties the restoration of state authority to resolving the root causes of the conflict. Implementation was scheduled to begin immediately, with full enforcement by 29 July and comprehensive peace talks slated for 8–18 August.^[184][187]

On 21 July, fighting between M23 rebels and NDC continued for a third day in Kisimba groupement, Walikale Territory, with tensions particularly high in Nkobe and Banakindi villages.^[188] In Goma, a group of unidentified alleged Wazalendo fighters, reportedly from the Virunga National Park, attacked an M23-held position at the border between Mugunga neighborhood in Goma and the Rusayu groupement in Nyiragongo Territory.^[189] Several makeshift shelters used by the M23 were set on fire. The fighting was concentrated in Rusayu.^[189] On 22 July, M23 rebels launched attacks and seized control of several Wazalendo positions in southern Masisi Territory, targeting the villages of Kasenyi, Katobotobo, Karoba, Luke, and Bukumbiriri in the Nyamaboko 1st and Mufunyi-Kibabi groupements.^[188] Clashes also occurred in Muko, Bwito Chiefdom, under the control of the CMC, where at least eight civilians were killed and seven others wounded due to gunfire and explosives, especially in Bukombo, Kazuba, and Sisa.^[188] A faction of the Résistants Patriotes Congolais (PARECO), led by Kigingi, successfully repelled M23 rebels in the villages of Karoba, Bukumbiriri, and Katuunda, located in the Mufunyi-Kibabi groupement.^[190] Meanwhile, in Goma, M23 authorities imposed new school report cards for the 2024–2025 academic year, mandating that all public and private schools purchase them for 1,000 Congolese francs per unit, with payments made to CADECO based on student enrollment.^[191] This decision raised concerns over the administrative legitimacy and national recognition of these report cards, particularly as many schools had already issued official ones from the Congolese government.^[191]

On 23 July, heavy and light weapons fire was reported in Masisi Territory, especially in the villages of Katobotobo and Luke in the Nyamaboko 1st groupement, Osso sector. A faction of the PARECO, led by Mutayomba, was engaged in combat with M23 rebels.^[190][192] On 24 July, the DRC, Rwanda, and the UNHCR signed a tripartite agreement in Addis Ababa concerning the voluntary repatriation of refugees. The agreement followed two days of expert-level discussions and a high-level ministerial meeting.^[193] DRC Minister of the Interior, Security, Decentralization, and Customary Affairs Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo and Rwandan Ambassador General Charles Karamba represented their respective countries. The parties committed to ensuring the safe and dignified return of refugees, in accordance with international law and UNHCR guidelines.^[193] On the same day, M23 and Wazalendo clashed across several areas in Bwito Chiefdom, disrupting the harvest and putting farmers at risk of abduction or death.^[194]

On 25 July, M23 rebels launched assaults on Wazalendo positions located on the Changara and Showa hills in the Osso sector. Although the rebels were pushed back as far as Bukombo, their advance intensified insecurity in the region.^[195] In Rutshuru Territory, M23 declared parts of the Binza groupement an operational zone amid their campaign to target FDLR fighters and local militias. As a result, thousands of civilians were forced to flee their homes.^[194] This mass displacement took place alongside disturbing reports of dozens of farmers being killed or disappearing—particularly along the Kiseguro–Nyamilima axis near Virunga National Park in Bwisha Chiefdom. These acts have been attributed to M23 fighters, who routinely justify such violence by alleging the victims were collaborators with the FDLR or other local armed groups.^[194] Meanwhile, in Masisi Territory, M23 captured Mulema following clashes with Wazalendo forces. Wazalendo launched offensives to retake Luke and Katobotobo, but these efforts were unsuccessful.^[196] Despite reinforcements arriving from Kasopo, M23 successfully repelled the counterattacks and retained control of Mulema.^[196] M23 accused Kinshasa of undermining the agreement and warned of a potential collapse of the peace process. In Goma, M23 executive secretary Benjamin Mbonimpa insisted that any future accord must redefine state authority nationwide, not just in rebel-held areas, with M23 playing a central role. He suggested that the current government would not be part of the new order and announced plans to propose major reforms, including federalism.^[197] Mbonimpa also reiterated that the release of over 700 detainees allegedly affiliated with M23, currently held by Kinshasa, was a non-negotiable precondition for continued participation in the Doha dialogue. He described this step as an essential confidence-building measure outlined in the Declaration of Principles.^[198] According to the timeline stipulated in the declaration, the implementation phase must begin by 29 July, followed by direct peace negotiations commencing on 8 August, with the goal of finalizing a comprehensive peace accord involving Rwanda by 17 August.^[198]

On 26 July, after bolstering their ranks, M23 forces expelled Janvier Karairi's APCLS fighters from the strategic locality of Showa—comprising the villages of Showa, Muhondo, and Changara—forcing their retreat to Ngesha and Burora.^[199] That same day, M23 launched additional assaults on Wazalendo positions in the villages of Kazinga and Kibanda, also located in the Osso sector.^[200] Simultaneously, Nangaa announced that M23 would not return to the Doha peace talks with the Congolese government unless the release of over 700 detained members is prioritized.^[201] Nangaa emphasized that this demand aligns with the confidence-building measures stipulated in the Doha Declaration of Principles. The Congolese government had addressed this on 21 July, stating that the issue of prisoner release would be included in the forthcoming peace agreement.^[201] On July 27, M23 rebels from Kalembe/Kalonge attacked Wazalendo positions in Kalinga village in the Banamulema locality in the Kisimba groupement of Walikale Territory before being pushed back by Wazalendo.^[202] On July 28, M23 expanded its control to Ngululu and Ndete in Nyamaboko, Masisi Territory, after fierce clashes with Wazalendo, who had retreated there following the fall of Mulema.^[203] On July 29, MSF raised alarm over the dramatic rise in sexual violence in North Kivu province, reporting that nearly 40,000 victims received medical care in 2024, with similarly high numbers continuing in 2025, with the situation worsened since the M23 took control of Goma.^[204] Women and girls had been especially vulnerable, particularly after the dismantling of displacement camps that had sheltered over 650,000 people.^[204] That same 29 July, M23 rebels strengthened their presence in Kateku village, in the Ikobo groupement of Walikale Territory, with reinforcements of men and ammunition from Buleusa.^[205] These armed men positioned themselves throughout the area for a planned attack on Pinga. Several sources also report other reinforcements heading to Rusamambu and Bukumbirwa for the same purpose.^[205]

On 31 July, M23 attempted to advance toward Pinga from Buhimba and Chanjikiro (in the banana area of Kisimba groupement), but were once again repelled by Wazalendo forces.^[206] In Walikale Territory, several secondary school graduates in Buleusa were forcibly conscripted by M23 to transport ammunition shortly after completing their national exams. The students, still clad in their school uniforms, were compelled to carry arms from Buleusa to Rusamambu, despite reports that M23 had access to trucks.^[207] That same day in Washington, D.C., representatives of the DRC and Rwanda convened with observers from the US, Qatar, Togo (serving as AU facilitator), and the African Union Commission for the inaugural session of the Joint Monitoring Committee tasked with overseeing the Washington Peace Agreement's implementation.^[208] Within the accord's 30-day framework, the committee designated leadership roles, adopted procedural protocols, reviewed progress, and prepared for the first session of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism. The AU, Qatar, and the US reaffirmed their commitment to integrating the accord's provisions within broader regional peace initiatives.^[208] On 1 August, a joint EAC–SADC regional summit in Nairobi reviewed DRC security situation, aligned regional peace efforts, and coordinated efforts to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The summit brought together leaders from the EAC, SADC, the AU, peace facilitators, and Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, the designated mediator in the DRC–Rwanda conflict.^[209][210] Ruto stated the initiative aims to complement foreign efforts with a coordinated, Africa-led framework. Key measures included merging EAC, SADC, and AU peace structures under AU leadership, creating a unified secretariat, and scheduling a virtual follow-up within a week.^[210] The summit also called for urgent resource mobilization for humanitarian aid and alignment of peace initiatives under this African-led process.^[210] With U.S. facilitation, the DRC and Rwanda initialed the Principles of the Regional Economic Integration Framework, covering cooperation in energy, infrastructure, mining, national park management and tourism, and public health.^[211] In Beni, human rights organizations rejected the M23's proposal for a federalist system in the DRC, denouncing it as "dangerous and unacceptable" and viewing it as a veiled attempt to fracture the nation and potentially annex parts of its territory to Rwanda.^[212] They also condemned recent remarks by Erasto Bahati Musanga, the M23-appointed governor of North Kivu, who urged youth enlistment into the rebel forces while dismissing the Doha peace talks as futile.^[212]

On 3 August, Wazalendo fighters affiliated with the Uhuru and MAC factions engaged in combat with M23 rebels in Kibanda, located in the Osso sector between Kasopo and Buhimba.^[213] By 4 August, both parties had withdrawn to their original positions, leaving Kibanda entirely deserted.^[213] That same day, APCLS combatants loyal to Janvier Karairi launched assaults on multiple M23 positions in Kalembe/Kalonge, a strategic area straddling the border between Walikale and Masisi Territories.^[214] On 5 August, Bukavu journalist Fiston Wilondja Mazambi died from injuries after being tortured; his body, bloodied and bound with a rope, was found in the street.^[215] Local sources say he was abducted near his Nguba home, and press group Journaliste en danger (JED) urged M23 leaders to clarify the circumstances, calling it an unusual case of insecurity in rebel-held areas.^[215] On 6 August, the OHCHR reported that M23, with RDF support, killed at least 319 civilians between 9 and 21 July in North Kivu, including 48 women and 19 children, mostly farmers camping in their fields.^{[216][217][218]} UN rights chief Volker Türk condemned the massacre—the deadliest since M23's resurgence in 2022—calling it a "surge of deadly violence" despite the recently signed Doha ceasefire.^[216][217] On the same day, M23 conducted its sixth cordon-and-search operation in Mabanga Sud, a neighborhood in Goma's Karisimbi commune, detaining several residents, primarily young men, on suspicion of ties to the FARDC, Wazalendo, or the FDLR. Residents were forced to gather at Stade de l'Unité for identity checks, and witnesses reported that two youths were shot while attempting to flee.^[219]

On 7 August, the anticipated 8 August launch of direct peace talks in Doha between the Congolese government and the M23 rebellion failed to materialize, as neither delegation had traveled to Qatar.^[220] Citing OHCHR findings, the Congolese government accused M23 of flagrantly violating the Doha commitments and urged peace mediators and facilitators to note the gap between its rhetoric and actions.^[221] Reaffirming its commitment to genuine dialogue, Kinshasa called for the immediate activation of the UNHRC's investigative commission under Resolution A/HRC/RES/S-37/1 to identify and prosecute those responsible for the current aggression.^[221] Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya stressed that "no peace process can succeed in silence in the face of horror" and that protecting human life is non-negotiable.^[221] Meanwhile, the South Kivu Civil Society Coordination Office, along with partner organizations, urged the DGM to lift its ban on M23-issued travel documents—such as tenant lieu papers and CEPGL permits, arguing it mainly harms civilians in rebel-held areas.^[222] They cited cases of Congolese travelers stopped abroad for carrying such papers and stressed that official passports are costly and hard to obtain, while the DGM insists that only documents from legitimate DRC authorities are valid for entry or exit.^[222] Also on 7 August, Walungu Territory came under a violent assault involving armed drones operated by M23, with strikes targeting Kaniola center and the Ntula mining site, killing at least ten civilians and wounding many others.^[223] The attack followed a major M23 offensive launched earlier that day against Wazalendo positions, with intense clashes in Cagala, Murali, Mwirama, and Nzibira forcing hundreds of families to flee toward Budodo, Cisaza, and Mugaba. Provincial deputy Béatrice Nanvano condemned the assault as a flagrant breach of the principles of the agreement and called for firm sanctions and strengthened civilian protection.^[223] In Bunia, tensions persisted following renewed gunfire as security forces apprehended eight suspected militiamen and seized a crate of ammunition. Three of those detained—reportedly members of the Convention for the Popular Revolution (Convention pour la Révolution Populaire; CRP), a militia linked to Thomas Lubanga—were arrested in Bakongolo neighborhood (quartier), while the remaining five, captured in a hotel, were believed to have ties to M23.^[224]

On 7–8 August, the DRC and Rwanda, joined by observers from the US, Qatar, the AU mediator's office, and the AU Commission, held the first meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism in Addis Ababa.^[211] Tasked with implementing the plan to neutralize the FDLR, withdraw forces, and lift Rwanda's defensive measures under the 27 June Washington accord, the mechanism also aims to facilitate intelligence sharing. The parties adopted terms of reference and began discussing the accord's implementation.^[211] On 8 August, Wazalendo of the APCLS attacked the M23 rebel position in Bueni, a village near Kashebere in the Luberike groupement of Walikale Territory.^[225] In the Ikobo groupement, M23 forced residents of Buleusa and Rusamambu into labor, regardless of age or condition. Young men were made to haul firewood weekly, while women were forced to fetch water daily under threat of torture. Many fled, while those who stayed endured abusive conditions.^[226] In Bironga near Mpety, Banakindi locality, Kisimba groupement, three unidentified men were found shot dead in M23-controlled territory under unclear circumstances.^[227] In Rutshuru Territory, in the Mutanda groupement of Bwito Chiefdom, M23 rebels ordered thousands of residents to vacate their villages within five days, declaring the area an "operational zone". Locals were directed to relocate to Kibizi, Kikuku, Nyanzale, or Bwalanda—areas where they have no means of survival.^[228] Mutanda, a key agricultural hub, faces disruptions as this forced displacement hampers farming activities on the surrounding strategic hills.^[228] In the Binza groupement, eight bodies were interred following lethal attacks in the Kihito fields and Nyamilima. Seven victims, five woodcutters and two farmers from the same family, were shot or stabbed, reportedly targeted during an M23 operation against suspected FDLR members.^[229] In Masisi Territory, M23 and Wazalendo clashed in Kibanda, Nyamaboko 1st groupement;^[230] following the fighting, M23 attempted to overrun Wazalendo positions and push toward Buhimba but were forced back to the border between the Waloa Yungu and Luberike groupements.^[231]

On 9 August, M23 units appeared in Mulamba groupement, Ngweshe Chiefdom, Walungu Territory, after fighting with Wazalendo, who retreated to nearby villages including Nzibira, Mirhumba, and Luntukulu.^[232] Clashes persisted in Kaniola groupement—under M23 occupation since 28 June—with casualties reported in the Ntula mining zone and Muhambwe, though figures remain unconfirmed.^[232] The Walungu Territory students' association condemned the deaths, while FARDC spokesperson Reagan Mbuyi Kalonji denied that local villages were under M23 control, calling such claims "deceptive propaganda" designed to erode public trust and sow discord between frontline troops and their command.^[232] In Walikale Territory, M23 executed six men in the Kisimba groupement, accusing them of collaborating with the Volontaires pour la Défense de la Patrie (VDP) and providing intelligence to Wazalendo. Fearing further reprisals, many residents fled the area.^[233] On 10 August, M23 and Wazalendo engaged in renewed combat in Mulamba groupement. Earlier, South Kivu provincial spokesperson Didier Kabi confirmed that FARDC and Wazalendo forces had withdrawn from Mulamba and Kaniola groupements to avoid a large-scale massacre, leaving several areas—including Kaniola, Muzinzi, Ciruko, and parts of Mulamba—under M23 control.^[234] That same day in Nyamilima, Binza groupement, the Kiheka quartier chief was found shot dead in his home after unidentified gunmen broke in overnight, an incident that deepened residents' fears in the M23-held area.^[235] On 11 August, residents of Katobo, Banamulindwa locality, Kisimba groupement, Walikale Territory, were forcibly displaced by M23, who ordered them to relocate to Ihula, Kalembe, and Kikuku—all rebel-held areas.^[236] Traditional authorities in Kisimba said the rebels accused villagers of passing information to Wazalendo. Other sources suggested the displacement was intended to clear the area for M23 military operations, as Kisimba has become a hotspot for armed confrontations.^[236] In Waloa Yungu groupement, M23 forces arriving from Kashebere established a new military position on Mount Machumbi, near Ngenge, with the declared aim of attacking Ngenge, Buhimba, and Kimua—settlements hosting large numbers of displaced persons from Masisi Territory.^[237] This move followed recent clashes in the area between M23 and Wazalendo from the UHURU-MAC coalition, during which security sources reported at least 18 rebel fatalities.^[237]

Diplomatic initiatives to resolve the eastern DRC conflict have yielded little progress, with FARDC and M23 trading accusations of violating the Doha ceasefire. On 12 August, FARDC accused the M23 coalition of adopting a "warlike" attitude, mounting repeated assaults on army positions in North and South Kivu, and perpetrating targeted massacres of mostly Hutu civilians in North Kivu.^[238] The army condemned these acts as deliberate violations of the Washington Accord and the Doha Declaration of Principles, reaffirming its commitment to peace while reserving the right to respond to provocations.^[238] M23, for its part, accused FARDC of deploying troops and equipment to locations including Nzimbira, Mwenga, Bunyakiri, Kibuwa, Pinga, and Uvira in breach of the ceasefire, citing the arrival in Uvira on 10 August of two military vessels carrying over 1,100 fighters as evidence of deliberate escalation. The rebels alleged these deployments have precipitated attacks on densely populated areas, civilian casualties, and mass displacement.^[238] That same day, Radio Okapi reported that M23 withdrew from Katana, Kabare Territory, and Bukavu, redeploying with heavy weaponry toward the Walungu Territory and Uvira axes to reinforce their military presence. Fierce fighting continued in Walungu Territory, with FARDC and Wazalendo confronting M23 forces.^[239] On the Katana front, Wazalendo fighters from the MDLC group seized control of the area and neighboring villages. FARDC and Wazalendo retain much of the Ruzizi Plain beyond Uvira, while M23 maintains positions along the Nyangezi–Kamanyola axis and in parts of the Ruzizi Plain Chiefdom.^[239]

On 13 August, Actualite.cd reported that Colonel Charles Sematama, leader of the Twirwaneho militia and a U.S.-sanctioned deserter, said Twirwaneho and M23 had collaborated long before the AFC's creation, initially planning to announce their membership but later keeping it secret to avoid attracting the attention of their "enemy".^[240] That same day, M23 attacked VDP positions in Buhimba, Kisimba groupement, Walikale Territory, aiming to expand their control but were driven back toward Ihula and Minjenje.^[241] Local leaders denounced the assault as a calculated violation of the Doha Declaration.^[241] On 14 August, M23 reinforced positions in Kalembe and Kalonge on the Walikale–Masisi border, transporting men and heavy weaponry from Kitshanga and Mweso.^[242] The motive for the buildup remains unclear, but after consolidating in Kalonge and Kalembe, the rebels strengthened their footholds in Mpety and Ihula, Kisimba groupement, as well as in Rusamambu and Bukumbirwa, Ikobo groupement, where trucks from Buleusa delivered troops and ammunition.^[243] Local sources indicated the movements aimed to facilitate an eventual push toward Pinga.^[243]