UNSC condemns Rwanda, M23 rebels for offensive in eastern DR Congo

On December 10, 2025, the Rwanda-backed M23 militia stormed the city of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The attack resulted in the displacement of approximately 200,000 people and the deaths of at least 74. The M23's surge into the strategic city threatens a US-led peace deal that was signed just days prior. The militia's actions have caused a significant humanitarian crisis in the region. The reason for the attack was not stated in the article.

M23 rebels are advancing on Uvira, a key city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, leading to gunfire, explosions, and the displacement of thousands into Burundi. Despite a recent peace deal brokered by the US between the DR Congo and Rwanda, the offensive continues, with reports of rebels patrolling Uvira and residents seeking shelter. While the South Kivu Governor denies the city's fall, other sources indicate a chaotic situation with potential for a massacre. The US, EU, and several European nations accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, a claim Rwanda denies, instead accusing DR Congo and Burundi of violating a ceasefire. The renewed fighting has displaced approximately 200,000 people this month, resulting in numerous casualties.

Despite a recent peace deal brokered by President Trump between Congo and Rwanda, the M23 rebel militia seized Uvira in eastern Congo on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. This capture gives M23 control of both the North and South Kivu regions, as Uvira was the last city in South Kivu under government control. Thousands are fleeing Uvira into Burundi due to the fighting. The M23 militia was not part of the Washington Accord negotiations, and separate talks led by Qatar have stalled. The UN has accused Rwanda of funding and directing M23, an accusation Rwanda denies.

In December 2025, Rwandan President Paul Kagame praised the Trump administration's approach to diplomacy in Africa. Kagame stated that the US's focus on transactional deals, rather than promoting democracy and human rights, has a greater chance of improving lives. He highlighted the significant attention and pressure brought by the US to the conflict between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, which led to a tentative deal signed in Washington on December 4th. Kagame, who has led Rwanda for over 30 years, noted he had never witnessed such a level of focus on resolving the conflict. He believes this approach, prioritizing tangible improvements, is more effective.

In December 2025, US President Donald Trump will host the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the White House for the signing of a peace agreement. The agreement, brokered by Trump, aims to end years of fighting in eastern DRC, particularly involving the M23 rebels. The M23, primarily ethnic Tutsi, have been fighting the DRC government in North Kivu province, with the conflict rooted in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Despite ongoing truce talks, violence has persisted, with accusations of Rwandan support for the M23, which Kigali denies. The agreement builds upon a preliminary peace agreement signed in June and a framework established in Qatar in November, seeking to resolve the conflict and foster economic cooperation.

Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of DR Congo and Paul Kagame of Rwanda are scheduled to sign a peace deal in Washington, D.C., hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement aims to resolve the long-standing conflict in the region, despite recent escalations in fighting between DR Congo's army and M23 rebels allegedly backed by Rwanda. While the M23 rebels will not be present, other African and Arab leaders are expected to attend the signing ceremony. The Trump administration hopes this agreement will pave the way for increased U.S. investment in the resource-rich region. Despite Rwanda's denial, UN experts claim its army controls M23 operations. Analysts express skepticism about the deal's potential for lasting peace, citing the ongoing M23 rebellion and lack of a ceasefire.

President Trump will host the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo at the White House on Thursday, December 5, 2025, to advance a peace deal aimed at ending the long-standing conflict in eastern Congo. A signing ceremony for the agreement's next phase will be held at the U.S. Institute of Peace, recently renamed after Trump. The deal aims to address the ongoing violence, particularly involving the M23 militia, which controls significant territory in eastern Congo. However, heavy fighting was reported near the Rwandan border just before the scheduled signing, and previous peace talks have stalled, raising questions about the agreement's potential success. The conflict in eastern Congo has persisted for three decades, with Congolese officials accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 militia.

Fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) resulted in the deaths of at least 23 people, including children. The violence occurred on December 6, 2025, according to the news report. The fighting took place in the DRC. The deaths happened just a day after the DRC and Rwanda signed a US-backed peace agreement. The reason for the renewed fighting was not specified in the report.

Fighting erupted in eastern DR Congo on Friday between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army, supported by Burundian soldiers, in South Kivu province. This occurred just a day after a peace agreement was signed in Washington D.C. between the presidents of DR Congo and Rwanda, intended to stabilize the conflict-ridden region. The fighting centers around the border town of Kamanyola, with M23 now in control. Hundreds of civilians are fleeing across the border into Rwanda to escape the violence. Burundi claims it is reinforcing its positions to prevent M23, allegedly backed by Rwanda, from advancing towards Uvira, a city near Burundi's largest city. Both sides accuse the other of escalating the conflict.

Fighting between the M23 rebel group and government forces in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reignited on Friday, just a day after a US-brokered peace deal was signed in Washington between the DRC and Rwanda. The M23 group claimed Congolese forces attacked populated areas, resulting in casualties, while a DRC army spokesperson reported clashes and population displacement due to Rwandan bombardment in South Kivu province. Both sides accuse each other of initiating the renewed conflict. The Rwandan-backed M23, which seized eastern DRC cities earlier this year and is not bound by the US deal, reportedly retook the town of Luberika. The peace deal, brokered by the US in June, aimed to stabilize the DRC and encourage Western mining investment.

On Thursday, President Trump hosted the presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington D.C., where they signed a peace agreement. Simultaneously, Defense Department officials faced questioning from lawmakers regarding potential war crimes, specifically concerning lethal boat strikes. This juxtaposition highlighted the contradictions within the Trump administration. The U.S. Institute of Peace, recently renamed "Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace," served as the location for the peace accord signing. The renaming of the building drew criticism and mockery.

On Thursday, President Trump hosted the presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington D.C., where they signed a peace agreement. Simultaneously, Defense Department officials faced questioning from lawmakers regarding potential war crimes, specifically concerning lethal boat strikes. This juxtaposition highlighted the contradictions within the Trump administration. The U.S. Institute of Peace, recently renamed "Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace," served as the location for the peace accord signing. The renaming of the building drew criticism and mockery.