Congo and Burundi Escalate Military Efforts Against M23 Rebels

With the African mediation initiative led by Angola between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda facing setbacks, President Félix Tshisekedi of Congo is pursuing military options to resolve the conflict against rebel forces. This approach involves enhancing collaboration with Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye.

The two leaders convened in Kinshasa to assess the escalating security situation in the territories of Fizi and Uvira in South Kivu. These areas have witnessed intense clashes over several months between government forces and the M23 rebel movement.

Multiple security sources from both Congo and Burundi reported that the presidents reviewed military operations conducted since February 2026 against armed groups active in the region. They agreed to strengthen ground forces and improve operational capabilities, particularly by acquiring drones and upgrading intelligence systems to prevent sensitive information leaks.

Military Operations and Strategic Moves

According to sources close to the Kinshasa government shared via the X platform, plans are also under consideration to neutralize strategic infrastructure, including Minembwe Airport, aiming to restrict air movement within the combat zone.

Following the bilateral meeting, the Congo River Alliance rebels and the March 23 Movement announced that the Democratic Republic of Congo’s army launched a large-scale offensive in the east, violating the ceasefire. This was stated by the rebels’ spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, on the social media platform X.

The rebel alliance reported that civilians in nine territories of the Masisi area in North Kivu province, along with several other locations, suffered from attacks by Congolese army forces on June 26 and 27.

Ceasefire Monitoring and Continued Clashes

In April, the Congolese authorities and rebels signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint mechanism for ceasefire monitoring. The Congolese army reported in May that rebels had withdrawn from several key sites in South Kivu province.

Despite these agreements, fighting remains intense. The Twaerwanihu armed group, an ally of M23, recently declared control over the Kaking, Ilondo, Pidigo, and Kitavi areas after fierce battles with government forces and their allies.

Meanwhile, civil society organizations and NGOs have reported severe humanitarian consequences for civilians, noting that shelling has caused extensive damage to infrastructure.

Regional Military Cooperation and Rebel Dynamics

Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo maintain a bilateral agreement permitting the deployment of Burundi’s National Defense Forces in eastern Congo. Between August 2022 and December 2025, over 29,000 Burundian soldiers were deployed in the Kivu provinces to fight alongside Congolese armed forces and Kinshasa-backed Wazalendo militias against the rebels.

The rebels’ withdrawal from Uvira and most of the Rusizi plain followed diplomatic pressures, notably from the United States.

South Kivu continues to host the Twaerwanihu armed group, a significant ally of M23 in the highlands.

Rebel Control and Accusations Between Governments

The M23 movement, dominated by Tutsi members, resumed armed operations in late 2021, accusing Congolese authorities of failing to honor previous peace agreements.

Currently, M23 controls large parts of North and South Kivu provinces, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu and numerous strategic locations. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting the rebel movement, an allegation Rwanda firmly denies.

Conversely, Kigali accuses the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi of collaborating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a Hutu armed group whose leaders are accused of participating in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi population.