Combat resumes between Congolese army and M23 rebels despite peace treaty

M23 rebels guard outside the South Kivu province administrative office, at the center of east Congo's second-largest city, Bukavu, Sunday, February 16, 2025. JANVIER BARHAHIGA / AP

Violent combat has broken out between the Congolese army and the M23 armed group in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo despite a peace treaty, security and local sources told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday, August 11.

Kinshasa and the M23 signed a declaration of principles on July 19, in which they committed to a permanent ceasefire, following the signing of a peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda in late June.

However, these accords have not stopped the violence, and fighting between Rwanda-backed M23 and local groups affiliated with Kinshasa has intensified since Friday around the town of Mulamba, in South Kivu province.

The M23 pushed back militiamen and Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) soldiers present in the area after clashes involving heavy and light weapons, according to local and security sources. On Sunday, both sides sent in reinforcements, the sources reported. Fighting was still ongoing Monday around Mulamba, a town located about 80 kilometers southwest of Bukavu, the provincial capital.