Who are the M23 rebels in eastern DRC?

• In early 2025, M23 rebels seized control of Goma and Bukavu, pushing the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to over 7 million.
• The M23 movement was formed in 2012 following the failure of the DRC government to uphold the terms of the 2009 peace agreement.
• UN experts report ongoing support for M23 from Rwanda, raising fears that regional instability could threaten neighboring countries in Central Africa.

History of the Conflict

• The group originated from the Kivu conflict, specifically the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) founded by Laurent Nkunda.
• A 2009 peace deal intended to integrate the CNDP into the national army in exchange for political concessions, but the government's failure to implement these terms led former rebels to revolt in 2012.
• After a major defeat in 2013 by the FARDC with UN support, the group made a military comeback in March 2022.

M23's Stance and Allegations

• M23 leadership, led by Bertrand Bisimwa, claims to have sought unconditional surrender and peace, citing multiple letters and delegations sent to President Félix Tshisekedi starting in 2019.
• The group alleges that the government chose military confrontation over diplomatic resolution to keep the eastern region unstable.

Impact on Elections and Regional Security

• The resurgence of M23 and other groups created extreme insecurity during the December 20, 2023, general elections, particularly in North and South Kivu and Ituri.
• Other active armed groups in the region include:
  • Allied Democratic Forces (ADF): Affiliated with the Islamic State.
  • CODECO: A group primarily defending the Lendu ethnic community.
  • National Forces of Liberation (FNL): A Burundian rebel branch operating in South Kivu.
• Political analysts warn that the situation in the DRC poses a risk of spillover, potentially destabilizing neighboring nations such as Congo-Brazzaville, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan.