Feb 25, 2025 · Large parts of Goma, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, are now under the control of the M23 and their Rwanda Defense Force allies. This is likely to be seen, looking back 20 years from now, as a major inflection point in the history of the Congolese conflict.

In November 2012, the M23––which emerged from the remnants of the CNDP and had much stronger Rwandan backing––took and held Goma for a week. But the times were different. Both of those attacks on Goma spelled the beginning of the end for the Rwandan-backed rebellions as donors pressured Rwanda to pull the plug.

The M23 campaign is an ongoing series of military offensives launched by the March 23 Movement (M23), a Rwandan-backed rebel paramilitary group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, since March 2022.

M23 and RDF have little to do with the mass killings in Beni and Irumu, where the jihadi-inspired ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) insurgency continues to operate despite significant Ugandan military operations.

Sep 26, 2024 · Human Rights Watch documented five apparently unlawful attacks by Rwandan forces and the M23 since January 2024, in which artillery or rocket fire struck displacement camps or populated areas...

Jan 25, 2025 · (Nairobi) – Civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are at increasing risk as the abusive M23 armed group, supported by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), approaches Goma, the capital of...

Jan 29, 2025 · The former CNDP members regrouped to form M23, claiming to defend the Banyamulenge and combat the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)—the mostly Hutu remnants of those implicated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, principally the Interahamwe and ex-Rwandan Armed Forces.

Mar 13, 2025 · At the end of January 2025, the M23 captured the city of Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the region’s humanitarian and security hub. ... (RDF), with a UN Group of Experts estimating that 3000-4000 Rwandan government forces were operating with M23 in eastern DRC in June last year.

Aug 4, 2022 · RDF members conducted joint attacks with M23 fighters against Congo's army and Congolese armed groups, and provided the rebels with weapons, ammunition and uniforms, it said.

Feb 15, 2025 · After two weeks of fighting in South Kivu province and calls for a ceasefire from regional heads of state, the March 23 Movement (M23) and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) offensive has pushed...