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400+ Civilians Killed in Eastern Congo Conflict as M23 Rebels Advance
400+ Civilians Killed in Eastern Congo Conflict as M23 Rebels Advance
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Officials in South Kivu say more than 400 civilians have been killed as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels push deeper into eastern Congo — even after a U.S.-brokered peace agreement aimed at reducing tensions in the region.
ore than 400 civilians have been killed in a surge of fighting in eastern Congo, local officials said Wednesday, as the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel movement continues its push across South Kivu despite a newly signed peace agreement.
The violence escalates just days after the Congolese and Rwandan presidents signed a U.S.-mediated peace accord in Washington, an agreement that seeks to reduce cross-border tensions and halt Rwanda's alleged support for armed groups operating on Congolese soil.
The deal did not include M23, which has been negotiating its own ceasefire terms with Congo — a truce both sides accuse each other of repeatedly violating.
According to the South Kivu provincial government, at least 413 civilians have been killed by gunfire, explosions, and shelling in towns and villages between Uvira and Bukavu, the provincial capital. Many of the victims were women, children, and young people caught in the crossfire.
In a statement late Wednesday, regional officials said that Rwandan special forces, along with foreign mercenaries, had been identified in the strategic border city of Uvira. Their presence, the statement argued, represents a direct breach of both the Washington agreement and the earlier Doha commitments.
The statement accused Rwanda of disregarding its promise to halt support for armed groups and help restore stability in the region. "Instead of withdrawing, they are advancing with sophisticated weapons and external support," it added.
Last week's Washington agreement, mediated by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, was meant to build on earlier peace efforts in Doha. It committed both countries to prevent armed groups from using their territories and to cooperate on regional security.
However, the fighting has continued unabated, with M23 capturing several strategic towns and positioning itself closer to Bukavu, a major city of over 1.2 million people. Humanitarian organizations report that tens of thousands of civilians have fled their homes, overwhelming displacement camps already strained by years of conflict.
The M23 rebellion first emerged in 2012, claiming to defend the interests of ethnic Tutsis in eastern Congo against discrimination and persecution. The group was largely defeated in 2013 but resurged in late 2021, capturing large swaths of territory in North Kivu before expanding into South Kivu.
Congo, the United Nations, and Western powers have consistently accused Rwanda of backing M23 with troops, weapons, and logistical support — charges Kigali denies. Rwanda instead points to Congo's collaboration with the FDLR, a militia founded by Hutu extremists who participated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The United Nations mission in Congo (MONUSCO) has come under increasing criticism for its inability to protect civilians. The mission, which has been in the country for over two decades, is scheduled to withdraw completely by the end of 2025, raising concerns about a security vacuum.
Aid agencies report that medical facilities in affected areas are overwhelmed, with many operating without electricity, clean water, or sufficient medical supplies. The World Food Programme has warned that the latest displacement could push the region toward famine, with already limited humanitarian access further restricted by the fighting.
"We're seeing children dying from preventable diseases, families sleeping in the open without shelter, and pregnant women giving birth in unsafe conditions," said a Médecins Sans Frontières coordinator in Bukavu. "The international community needs to act now before this becomes an even greater catastrophe."
Eastern Congo has faced decades of conflict involving dozens of militias, but the latest M23 offensive marks one of the most significant escalations in recent years, raising renewed concerns about a broader regional confrontation if diplomatic efforts fail.
The African Union has called for an emergency meeting, while the United States and European Union are considering additional sanctions against individuals and entities involved in perpetuating the conflict. However, with trust between Kinshasa and Kigali at an all-time low, prospects for a swift resolution appear increasingly bleak.
The escalating conflict in eastern Congo has significant implications for regional stability in Central Africa. Key concerns include:
International diplomatic efforts are intensifying, with the United States, European Union, African Union, and United Nations coordinating response strategies. However, the complexity of the conflict, involving multiple armed groups, cross-border dynamics, and economic interests, presents significant challenges to sustainable peace.
