For the second consecutive day, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remained relatively calm on Monday following regional appeals for a ceasefire, amid fears that ongoing clashes could escalate into a broader conflict.
In Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, pupils returned to school after classes were suspended on Friday due to rising tensions and fears of an M23 rebel attack. The Rwanda-backed M23 has rapidly seized territory in eastern DRC in recent months, displacing thousands and causing significant casualties.
Fighting remained subdued as of noon Monday, following intense weekend clashes about 60 kilometers from Bukavu. The M23, which claims to protect ethnic Tutsis, recently took control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, and has since pushed further south.
Leaders from East and Southern Africa convened on Saturday, calling for an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire within five days to prevent the conflict from spilling into neighboring nations. While both Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame participated in the talks, the final summit statement did not directly address Rwanda’s alleged involvement in the conflict.
Germany expressed concern over a potential M23 and Rwandan troop advance toward Bukavu, warning of further violence and humanitarian suffering. Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council has launched an investigation into alleged human rights violations in the deadly clashes.
On Monday, a military court in Bukavu opened trial proceedings against 80 Congolese soldiers accused of crimes including murder, rape, looting, and desertion. According to prosecutors, the accused engaged in actions that betrayed their mission to protect the population and uphold national sovereignty.
Meanwhile, the M23 has begun setting up its own administration in Goma, launching recruitment campaigns and forming a police force. The group issued a 72-hour warning for displaced persons to leave the city, adding to the region’s humanitarian crisis.
Despite the ceasefire call, Germany reported no signs of compliance, raising concerns over the potential for further escalation in the conflict. Rwanda, for its part, continues to deny supporting the M23 militarily, instead accusing the DRC of harboring the FDLR, a Hutu militia with ties to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
