Description: After the two – day unilateral ceasefire announcement, M23 rebels have reengaged with the Congolese military in the eastern parts of the country near the provincial capital of Bukavu. The fighters of the armed rebel group have substantially advanced in the past week, taking the largest town in eastern Congo – Goma now aiming at further territorial expansion towards Bukavu which would mark the largest territory under control of the M23 since their resurgence in 2021. In the Djugu territory, parts of the CODECO armed forces had reportedly killed over 50 people in another territorial grab. Humanitarian aid has seized since US President Donald Trump’s executive order was signed earlier this month. The conflict is rapidly escalating and is under risk of spilling over onto territories of neighboring countries.
Impact: With the latest M23 offensive in the eastern parts of Congo and the resurgence of the CODECO armed forces in Djugu, the country’s destabilization markers are off the charts. The international community’s limited response indicates on low priority in what’s aiming to become one of the largest humanitarian crises in recent times on the African continent. Latest report indicated that the Congolese government refused peace negotiations with the M23 which could also prompt larger and deeper military offensives in the country by the various armed fractions. With the seizure of international humanitarian aid the number of dead civilians is expected to rapidly rise, while the crisis in the country further deepens.