Eastern drc: one year on, peace accord fails to halt persistent violence
eastern drc: one year on, peace accord fails to halt persistent violence
Intense fighting has reignited in recent months across the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), pitting Kinshasa’s forces against M23 rebels, even as the region grapples with an Ebola outbreak. This resurgence in hostilities comes a full year after a significant peace agreement was inked in Washington, D.C., a ceremony attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Congolese and Rwandan counterparts.
For three decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been ravaged by conflict, and the eastern provinces are once again witnessing a fierce surge in violence. This renewed instability stems from the 2021 re-emergence of the M23 armed group, which the United Nations has consistently reported receives military backing from Rwanda.
A year prior, on April 9, 2025, a significant diplomatic effort commenced in Doha. Following a crucial meeting between Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, negotiations were initiated between the Alliance fleuve Congo – the political arm of the M23 – and the Congolese government, with Qatar serving as mediator.
Concurrently, the United States spearheaded separate discussions aimed at forging a comprehensive peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda. After several months of intensive talks, an accord was formally signed on June 27, 2025, between Kigali and Kinshasa, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio present to witness the historic moment.
However, despite these diplomatic breakthroughs, the region finds itself mired in a “status quo” one year later, as observed by Bob Kabamba, a political scientist at the University of Liège. He notes that the territorial gains secured by the rebellion remain firmly under its control, and the area continues to experience persistent exchanges of fire and violations of the ceasefire, emanating from both the Congolese government forces and the M23.
Professor Kabamba further highlights that the M23 has continued to recruit new troops, even in the wake of the peace agreement. “In this dynamic, the rebellion currently holds the upper hand,” he explains. He concludes that “it is this balance of power on the ground that will ultimately enable the various parties to dictate their agendas” in the foreseeable future.