Fierce fighting broke out on several fronts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) despite a framework established in mid-October to monitor a permanent ceasefire between the warring parties.
It is emerging that the framework known as the Ceasefire Monitoring and Verification Mechanism is yet to achieve its intended purpose, now that the Democratic Republic of Congo government and the March 23 Movement/ Alliance River Congo (M23/AFC) continue fighting.
The latest fight between the rebels and the government army, FARDC/coalition, was in Kibati, Bibwe, Nyabiondo, Bukombo, and their surroundings in Masisi territory. Earlier on Sunday, fierce fighting also broke out in Kalangira, Baswagha chiefdom, Lubero territory, near the base controlled by the Uganda army deployed in the area under operation Shuuja.
Gen. Somo Kakule Evariste, Governor of North Kivu province, accused M23 rebels of establishing new positions in Vuvatama and Kanyamitala, and warned of the risk of a resumption of hostilities. He reaffirmed the FARDC’s determination to defend its positions in the event of an attack.
On Tuesday afternoon, Lawrence Kanyuka, M23 rebels spokesperson, released a statement claiming that FARDC soldiers and coalition forces launched an attack against M23 positions using heavy artillery and combat drones. He claims that the Kinshasa regime has escalated its flagrant violations of the ceasefire, operating with impunity both along and beyond the front lines. According to Kanyuka, while the international community urges dialogue, the regime in Kinshasa has instead embraced what he described as “a path of criminal barbarism and orchestrated massacres”.
Kanyuka says that as a result of this indiscriminate aggression, children and women are being killed, and the number of casualties and displaced persons is rising at an alarming rate. He says M23/AFC will employ all necessary means to protect civilian populations and to put the criminals out of action.
“The Kinshasa regime has escalated its flagrant violations of the ceasefire, operating with impunity both along and beyond the front lines,” Kanyuka’s statement says. “While the international community urges dialogue, Kinshasa’s kakistocratic regime has instead embraced a path of criminal barbarism and orchestrated massacres. On Tuesday, October 28th, 2025, at 3:00 a.m., the criminal coalition forces of the Kinshasa regime launched a comprehensive offensive across all front lines. Heavy artillery and combat drones are being deliberately aimed at densely populated areas in Kibati, Bibwe, Nyabiondo, Bukombo, and their surroundings. As a result of this indiscriminate aggression, children and women are being killed, and the number of casualties and displaced persons is rising at an alarming rate. By sabotaging all international peace efforts, Kinshasa has made its intentions clear: it is waging a war against the Congolese people. Confronted with this murderous campaign, the Alliance River Congo/Movement du 23 Mars (AFC/M23) is left with no choice but to exercise its right to self-defense. We will employ all necessary means to protect civilian populations and to put the criminals out of action.” Reads the statement.
Benjamin Mbonimpa, the Executive Secretary of the AFC/M23, on Tuesday afternoon, also claimed that while he is in Qatar’s capital, Doha, for peace talks, he has received reports from fighters on the ground about attacks by the government forces’ “sabotage of the DOHA talks”.
“I am in Doha, our forces on the ground report massive bombings of the population & our positions by drones in Bibwe, Kibati, deaths of men in Bishusha, and ground attacks on all fronts from 3:00 in the morning until this morning. Earlier this month, the DRC government and the M23/AFC coalition signed the Ceasefire Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, a key step in implementing the peace process in the conflict-ridden eastern region of the country,” Said Mbonimpa.
Facilitated by Qatar, the ceasefire agreement was signed in the presence of representatives from the DRC government, M23/AFC, and observers from Qatar, the United States, the African Union, the ICGLR (through the MCVE), and MONUSCO. The mechanism assigns the International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC the role of a neutral intermediary for identifying and releasing detainees, a major point of contention during negotiations. It also provides for the creation of specific actors and procedures to verify the ceasefire, though details of these measures have not yet been made public.
The agreement aims to ensure effective monitoring of the pause in hostilities in a region long plagued by instability.
But just days after the signing, the M23/AFC have warned they could advance onto the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, if the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army continues to violate the recently signed ceasefire agreements.
Speaking to journalists at the Serena Hotel in Goma, North Kivu Province, on Thursday last week, M23–AFC leaders Bertrand Bisimwa and Corneille Nangaa accused the Congolese army of repeatedly attacking rebel positions and densely populated areas in North and South Kivu, despite the ceasefire.
Currently, M23 rebels are reported to control large parts of North and South Kivu provinces, including Goma and Bukavu cities, as well as Goma International Airport and Kavumu Airport.
Since the M23 insurgency resumed in 2022 under the leadership of Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, the DRC government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the group, allegations both Rwanda and M23 deny. The rebels maintain that their struggle is aimed at combating corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the Congolese leadership.
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