The Group of Seven (G7) has strongly condemned the latest military offensive by the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), calling for an immediate halt to hostilities and urgent measures to protect civilians.
In a statement released on Sunday, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States—alongside the European Union’s foreign policy chief—urged the M23 rebels and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) to cease all military actions. The ministers warned that the ongoing violence threatens the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC and risks further destabilizing the region.
“This offensive represents a blatant violation of the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We strongly oppose M23’s continued territorial expansion into South Kivu,” the statement read.
G7 Urges Immediate Ceasefire and Humanitarian Access
The G7’s condemnation comes amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo, where renewed fighting has displaced thousands of civilians. The statement highlighted the urgent need for food, water, and medical aid, calling for the immediate, safe, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance. Aid organizations operating in the region have reported worsening conditions, with many displaced families lacking basic necessities.
The ministers also called for all parties to return to diplomatic negotiations and uphold commitments under the Luanda Process, a regional peace initiative aimed at resolving tensions in eastern DRC. They demanded the full withdrawal of M23 forces from all territories under their control and urged an end to external support for the group.
M23’s Advances and Regional Implications
The M23 rebel group, which has been engaged in a long-standing conflict with Congolese forces, claims to be fighting for the rights of minority Congolese Tutsis, who allege discrimination due to their ethnic ties to Rwanda’s Tutsi community. The group, accused of receiving support from Rwanda—a claim Kigali has denied—recently launched a large-scale attack and later claimed to have captured the strategic city of Goma.
The renewed violence has raised fears of a broader regional conflict, with international observers warning of escalating tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. The G7 reaffirmed its full support for the United Nations peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, calling on all sides to respect its mandate in protecting civilians and stabilizing the region.
As the crisis unfolds, the international community continues to push for a diplomatic resolution, while humanitarian agencies work to provide aid to the growing number of displaced civilians in eastern Congo.