After their last attack in 2012 in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwandan-backed M23 forces launched a new offensive in November 2021. Although peace talks were eventually initiated, they eroded in December 2024. In January 2025, the M23 began another major offensive resulting in the capture of key cities such as Goma, the capital of the DRC’s North Kivu province. Since then, the M23 has also gained control of the capital of South Kivu, Bukavu.
The humanitarian situation has continually worsened, with the most recent attack culminating in the killing of 7,000 people and the displacement of 100,000 since January. Of those civilians forced to flee, about half were children. Criminal activity has surged, including home invasions, kidnappings, and vehicle hijackings. DRC prime minister Judith Suminwa heartbreakingly stated that 2,500 bodies were recently buried without identification, and 1,500 are still in morgues. 40,000 people have also fled to neighboring Burundi over a two-week span in February.
Especially concerning are the claims surrounding sexual violence. In addition to forcing local health facilities to close, M23 members have repeatedly committed rape and other war crimes. These have been observed and documented since late 2022, but the M23 has not been held accountable. Instead, fighting has worsened, and with attacks beginning again, international actors must step up and halt fighting in the DRC so aid efforts can be more effective.
Although it is up to the DRC and Rwanda to solve the disputes, the international community can play a role in alleviating the conflict in Africa’s Great Lakes region. After about a month of inaction, the United States initiated economic and property sanctions against Rwanda on 20 February with the goal of putting pressure on Rwanda, whose troops are cooperating with M23 forces and have been crucial in the group’s advances since January.
With the increasingly dire humanitarian situation, this is a step in the right direction, demonstrating to the international community that the US is taking the situation seriously. With emphasis on the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the American government has expressed their desire for Rwandan leaders to end support for M23 and withdraw their military forces from the DRC.
With the US taking action, it is now the European Union’s turn. The European Parliament has criticized the EU for doing little other than issuing a strong statement on 25 January pressing Rwanda to end M23 support. Human Rights Watch proposed a three-step action plan, calling on the EU to sanction Rwandan leaders in a similar way to the US government, suspend its mineral deals, and stop military support and arms sales to Rwandan actors in the Congo.
The International Crisis Group also shared its suggestions for the EU. Despite their interest in minerals, officials in Brussels do not have a very strong influence in the DRC’s mining industry. Due to the way DRC mining contracts are created – and their reputation for being notoriously slow – political influence is incredibly important. Due to its support for Rwanda, the EU is unable to speed their contracts along. The EU should carefully watch its cooperation with Rwanda while looking to improve relations with the DRC. The EU could further humanitarian aid in the DRC using its newfound economic influence in the country.
While the US and the EU are able to improve the situation in the DRC, the African Union (AU) should be the driving force working to bring peace and humanitarian relief. The EU should continue supporting AU mediation efforts – especially with regard to convincing Rwanda to withdraw M23 forces from Goma – but the AU should take actions on its own. Western political actors can take a step back when needed in order to allow the AU to solve the conflict with its member states. The AU is best acquainted with local actors and may have the greatest influence to improve the situation in the DRC. The AU should work to quiet the infighting present among politicians on the continent and convince warring parties to negotiate. Specifically, the AU should call for a Rwandan retreat, emphasizing that Rwandan actions in North and South Kivu violated AU norms of respect for sovereign borders.
The AU, the EU, and the US need to increase their pressure on Rwanda to cut its support for M23 troops. The rebel group must withdraw from the DRC in order to end the humanitarian crisis, allowing the innocent men, women, and children suffering through their occupation to begin healing after years of instability.
