Overview:
M23/AFC says its objective is to fight corruption, xenophobia and discrimination within the DRC’s political leadership.Earlier in 2025, the group launched a rapid offensive across eastern Congo, capturing several key towns and raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
The March 23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC) rebels have released 40 minors, about 100 women, and 230 soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) following high-level humanitarian talks with Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality.
The talks were held on Friday in Goma, North Kivu Province — an area currently under M23/AFC control. Lahbib arrived in the city on Thursday.
In a brief statement released Friday evening, Lahbib confirmed meeting M23/AFC leaders Bertrand Bisimwa and Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo.
She said she visited Goma on a humanitarian mission and held what she described as a “frank and constructive” meeting with AFC/M23 representatives to advocate for humanitarian access for millions of civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I came to Goma with a humanitarian mandate,” Lahbib said.
“I had a frank and constructive meeting with representatives of AFC/M23 to press for humanitarian access for millions of civilians in eastern DRC. Aid must reach those in need without delay through secure humanitarian corridors.”
On Saturday, M23/AFC spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka also confirmed the talks. Kanyuka said that following the meeting, the rebels released 40 minors and approximately 100 women who had been recruited by FARDC and later surrounded by AFC/M23, allowing them to return to their families.
He added that the group also handed over 230 FARDC soldiers wounded in combat — who had been receiving treatment at Katindo Military Hospital — to the European Commissioner to facilitate their reunification with their families.
According to Kanyuka, technical discussions will continue in the coming days to strengthen cooperation between M23/AFC and humanitarian actors operating in areas under their control.
He further said Nangaa reassured Lahbib of what he described as effective collaboration between the movement and humanitarian agencies, as well as migration facilitation measures that have been put in place.
Kanyuka added that Nangaa informed Lahbib that after one year of administration, the group claims to have achieved improved security stabilisation, the closure of most internally displaced persons’ camps except those hosting people from Uvira, the dismantling of roadblocks previously set up by Wazalendo, FARDC and the FDLR, and the resettlement of more than 1.2 million internally displaced persons into their communities around Goma.
The AFC/M23 statement also indicated that these developments have contributed to increased agricultural production in the region.
Additionally, the group said the meeting discussed strengthening cooperation with humanitarian actors, opening humanitarian corridors, establishing a Joint Technical Committee, and expectations around reopening Goma International Airport.
The rebels expressed gratitude to the European Union for what they described as multifaceted support to the Congolese population.The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo had not issued an official response to Lahbib’s visit by the time of publication.
Her visit to Goma is part of a regional tour that has already included stops in Kinshasa, Bujumbura and Kigali.Meanwhile, tensions remain high on the ground, with both sides accusing each other of violating ceasefire agreements.
Between Friday and Saturday, fighting was reported between M23/AFC rebels and FARDC coalition forces in the villages of Miruta, Ngololo, Kanyatsi, Samaria and Mushebere in Katoyi sector and Bahunde chiefdom, south of Masisi territory.The continued ceasefire violations have dimmed hopes of an imminent end to the insurgency.
Since its resurgence in 2022 under leaders Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, the Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23 — allegations denied by both Kigali and the group.
M23/AFC says its objective is to fight corruption, xenophobia and discrimination within the DRC’s political leadership.Earlier in 2025, the group launched a rapid offensive across eastern Congo, capturing several key towns and raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
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