The major offensive launched by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) appeared to stall on Saturday, as Congolese forces successfully regained control of key areas in the eastern region. Local civil society sources and officials confirmed that several villages, including Mukwija, Shanje, Numbi, and Nyamasasa in Kalehe territory, were recaptured from the rebels, halting their advance towards Bukavu.
M23, a Tutsi-led rebel group with close ties to Rwanda, initially seized Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo and capital of the resource-rich North Kivu province, before pushing further into South Kivu. The rebels’ move raised concerns of a wider regional conflict, with the DRC army, backed by Burundian forces, managing to slow their momentum by Friday.
Local civil society leader Justin Mulindangabo stated that the situation in Kalehe, an area between Goma and Bukavu, had calmed by Saturday morning, with no ongoing combat reported. “The Congolese army has made significant progress in reclaiming lost territory, and life is beginning to return to normal in some areas,” he noted.
Meanwhile, a local official confirmed that Congolese troops had bolstered their positions in the region, recapturing several villages, including Mukwija. However, clashes were reported in other parts of South Kivu, with the conflict continuing to disrupt daily life in the wider area. Despite repeated requests for comment, the Congolese military has not issued any official statements regarding the current situation.
Burundian troops, stationed in the strategic town of Kavumu near Bukavu, have been assisting the Congolese army in its efforts to prevent further rebel advances. Kavumu is home to an important military airport that serves as a hub for Congolese drones and other aircraft, underscoring the importance of the town in the ongoing struggle.
The presence of Burundian forces has been crucial in supporting DRC’s military operations, as tensions rise over the potential for the conflict to spill over into neighboring countries. President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi has issued a stern warning against any potential Rwandan incursions into Burundian territory, stating, “We won’t accept it, war will be generalized.”
M23, a highly trained and well-armed group, is part of a larger network of Rwandan-supported, Tutsi-led rebels operating in Congo’s volatile eastern borderlands, a situation rooted in the legacy of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the subsequent wars in Congo. The latest escalation of the conflict has drawn significant international concern, with diplomatic calls for an immediate ceasefire and efforts to defuse tensions.
Rwanda has denied supporting M23, claiming that it is defending itself against Congolese forces aligned with Hutu militias, who have been accused of targeting Tutsi civilians and posing a threat to Rwanda. Congo, however, rejects these claims, accusing Rwanda of using M23 to exploit the mineral wealth of eastern Congo, further destabilizing the region.
As the fighting continues, the international community remains focused on the unfolding crisis, urging all parties to seek peaceful resolution and avoid further escalation in what is already one of Africa’s most protracted and complex conflicts.