Answer · confidence: partial
Who's fighting in eastern Congo right now, and is any truce holding?
Research question: What is the situation in eastern DR Congo right now, including who is fighting, where, and whether any ceasefire is holding?
The newest fact, dated October 6, 2026, reports that fighting between the Congolese armed forces and the AFC/M23 rebellion is ongoing in North Kivu, causing displacement and loss of livelihoods 2. A June 2026 report places armed clashes and attacks in the territories of Masisi, Rutshuru, Walikale, and Beni 1. The M23 is backed by Rwanda 10, and Human Rights Watch reported that thousands of Rwandan soldiers crossed into eastern DRC to support M23 forces during the Uvira offensive in December 2025 12. The records do not show whether any ceasefire is holding today; the only peace step mentioned is a Doha declaration of principles signed on July 19, 2025 to end the fighting 13, and peace efforts are described as hindered by mistrust and conflicting regional interests 8. The records also show that a November 2025 analysis found a 46% acute malnutrition rate in Walikale 3, and that insecurity on supply routes is driving up prices 5.
Checked 2026-10-18. Only documented and supported facts are used.
Dig deeper on this questionSources
[1] documented
Armed clashes and attacks are ongoing in the territories of Masisi, Rutshuru, Walikale, and Beni.
"Les affrontements et attaques armées dans les territoires de Masisi, Rutshuru, Walikale et Beni continuent de provoquer des déplacements de population et d'accentuer les besoins ..."RD Congo : Situation humanitaire dans la province du Nord-Kivu ...
[2] supported
Fighting between the Congolese armed forces and the AFC/M23 rebellion is ongoing in North Kivu, causing displacement and loss of livelihoods.
"La poursuite des combats entre les forces armées congolaises et la rébellion de l’AFC/M23 aggrave la situation humanitaire, notamment nutritionnelle des populations au Nord-Kivu, selon Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)."Nord-Kivu : le conflit aggrave la malnutrition, plus de 33 000 patients ...
[3] supported
In Walikale, a November 2025 analysis by WFP and UNICEF found a global acute malnutrition rate of 46%, described as an urgent situation.
"À Walikale, une analyse menée en novembre 2025 par le Programme alimentaire mondial (PAM) et l’UNICEF avait relevé un taux de malnutrition aiguë globale de 46 %, une situation alors qualifiée d’urgente."Nord-Kivu : le conflit aggrave la malnutrition, plus de 33 000 patients ...
[4] supported
MSF is providing support to health structures in specific zones of North Kivu, including Mweso, Walikale, Kibirizi, Masisi, and Bambo, for treating severe acute malnutrition.
"Face à cette situation, MSF poursuit son appui aux structures de santé dans plusieurs zones du Nord-Kivu, notamment à Mweso, Walikale, Kibirizi, Masisi et Bambo, pour la prise en charge des enfants souffrant de malnutrition aiguë sévère et pour les soins ambulatoires."Nord-Kivu : le conflit aggrave la malnutrition, plus de 33 000 patients ...
[5] supported
Insecurity on strategic supply routes is driving up prices, while reductions in international aid for food security and health programs are aggravating the nutritional crisis.
"Parallèlement, l’insécurité sur les axes stratégiques d’approvisionnement fait grimper les prix, tandis que les réductions de l’aide internationale, notamment celle destinée à la sécurité alimentaire et aux programmes de santé, aggravent une crise nutritionnelle déjà sévère."Nord-Kivu : le conflit aggrave la malnutrition, plus de 33 000 patients ...
[6] supported
The conflict is driven by the socio-political marginalization of the Congolese Tutsi minority and competition over natural resources.
"the research highlights key drivers of conflict, including the socio-political marginalization of the Congolese Tutsi minority, competition over vast natural resources, and the weakness of the Congolese state."The Tension in the Great Lakes Region Over the M23 Rebellion in Eastern Democratic Republic of CONGO (DRC) (2025)
[7] supported
Rwanda and Uganda play significant roles in the tensions surrounding the M23 rebellion.
"This study analyzes the causes, dynamics, and consequences of the rebellion, situating it within the colonial legacy, state fragility, and regional competition, with particular emphasis on the roles of Rwanda and Uganda."The Tension in the Great Lakes Region Over the M23 Rebellion in Eastern Democratic Republic of CONGO (DRC) (2025)
[8] supported
Peace efforts are hindered by mistrust, weak institutions, and conflicting regional interests despite interventions by the East African Community and MONUSCO.
"Despite interventions by the East African Community, MONUSCO, and international sanctions, mistrust, weak institutions, and conflicting regional interests hinder peace."The Tension in the Great Lakes Region Over the M23 Rebellion in Eastern Democratic Republic of CONGO (DRC) (2025)
[9] supported
The rebellion persists partly due to a shadow economy fueled by illicit resource extraction.
"Findings reveal that the rebellion persists due to unfulfilled peace agreements, ethnic divisions, and the shadow economy fueled by illicit resource extraction."The Tension in the Great Lakes Region Over the M23 Rebellion in Eastern Democratic Republic of CONGO (DRC) (2025)
[10] supported
The M23 rebellion, which is backed by Rwanda, has captured the largest town in eastern DRC.
"The Rwanda-backed M23 rebellion has capped years of dominance by capturing the largest town in eastern DRC"Goma attack escalates Congo’s M23 crisis to new level (2025)
[11] supported
M23 rebels captured the city of Uvira without resistance on December 11, 2025, after FARDC forces had withdrawn the previous day.
"However, at 11:30 a.m. that same day, Uvira ultimately fell to M23 without resistance. Witnesses reported rebel forces moving visibly through major streets, while others advanced toward Kavinvira on the Burundian border. The city's capture occurred without fighting, as FARDC had already withdrawn the previous day toward Swima, Makobola, and Baraka in Fizi Territory."Timeline of the M23 campaign (2025)
[12] supported
Human Rights Watch reported that thousands of Rwandan soldiers, including elite units, crossed into eastern DRC to support M23 forces during the Uvira offensive.
"That same day, Human Rights Watch reported that thousands of Rwandan soldiers, including elite units, crossed into eastern DRC in support of M23. According to HRW, Rwandan and M23 forces entered Uvira after pushing out Congolese, Burundian, and allied Wazalendo troops, employing drones, heavy artillery, and other sophisticated weaponry."Timeline of the M23 campaign (2025)
[13] supported
The Congolese government and M23/AFC signed a declaration of principles in Doha on July 19, 2025, to end the fighting.
"À Doha, le Gouvernement congolais et le M23/AFC signent une déclaration de principes pour mettre fin aux combats"Timeline of the M23 campaign (2025)
[14] supported
Intense fighting continued between Wazalendo and M23 rebels on multiple fronts in Masisi and Rutshuru for at least three days in late July 2025.
"Combats intenses depuis 3 jours entre Wazalendo et M23 sur plusieurs fronts à Masisi et Rutshuru"Timeline of the M23 campaign (2025)
[15] supported
The Congolese government banned all activities of President Kabila's political movement 'Sauvons le Congo' on December 1, 2025.
"On 1 December, the Congolese government banned all activities of President Kabila's political movement Sauvons le Congo, which had been launched in mid-October in Nairobi to oppose what it described as the government's "tyranny" and to defend national sovereignty."Timeline of the M23 campaign (2025)
[16] supported
The M23 rebels and the Rwandan army entered Goma in the night of 26-27 January.
"Dans la nuit du 26 au 27 janvier , le M23 et l'armée rwandaise entrent dans Goma."Chronologie du conflit du M23
[17] supported
Conflict minerals are usually mined under the control of armed gangs that use violence and intimidation against the people working at the mines.
"The term refers to the conditions under which these metals are mined, usually under the control of armed gangs that use violence and intimidation to harm those working at the mines."Conflict minerals: developing responsible sourcing through the minerals supply chain (2026)
[18] supported
On August 24, 2023, OFAC blocked the U.S. property and interests in property of several individuals linked to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
"On August 24, 2023, OFAC determined that the property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of the following persons are blocked under the relevant sanctions authorities listed below."Notice of OFAC Sanctions Actions (Treasury Department, Foreign Assets Control Office, 2023-08-30)
[19] supported
The Alliance du fleuve Congo, an anti-government coalition including the M23, claimed the capture of Goma and ordered Congolese soldiers to surrender and lay down their arms.
"L’ Alliance du fleuve Congo , une coalition antigouvernementale qui regroupe des groupes armés et des partis politiques, dont le M23, revendique sa capture et indique avoir ordonné aux militaires congolais de se rendre et de déposer les armes"Chronologie du conflit du M23
[20] supported
The profits from conflict minerals support and finance conflict, and the minerals are mined under serious human rights violations.
"The minerals are mined under serious human rights violations and the profits support and finance conflict."Conflict minerals: developing responsible sourcing through the minerals supply chain (2026)
[21] documented
Bernard Byamungu was designated by OFAC as linked to the armed group M23.
"BYAMUNGU, Bernard (a.k.a. MHESHE, Bernard Byamungu), Congo, Democratic Republic of the; DOB 10 Oct 1974; POB Ziralo, Democratic Republic of the Congo; nationality Congo, Democratic Republic of the; Gender Male (individual) [DRCONGO] (Linked To: M23)."Notice of OFAC Sanctions Actions (Treasury Department, Foreign Assets Control Office, 2023-08-30)
[22] supported
After taking Goma, the M23 advanced toward Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, a province the MONUSCO UN mission had withdrawn from in June 2024.
"À la suite de la prise de Goma , le M23 continue son avancée en république démocratique du Congo (RDC), et son nouvel objectif semble être la ville de Bukavu , la capitale de la province du Sud-Kivu , une région dont la MONUSCO s’est retirée en juin 2024"Chronologie du conflit du M23
[23] supported
Extensive deposits of the conflict minerals tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold exist in Central Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and surrounding countries.
"Extensive deposits exist in Central Africa, in particular in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and surrounding countries."Conflict minerals: developing responsible sourcing through the minerals supply chain (2026)
[24] supported
Several designated individuals, including Ruvugayimikore Protogene, Apollinaire Hakizimana, and Sebastien Uwimbabazi, were linked to the Forces Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda (FDLR) armed group.
"Gender Male (individual) [DRCONGO] (Linked To: FORCES DEMOCRATIQUES DE LIBERATION DU RWANDA)."Notice of OFAC Sanctions Actions (Treasury Department, Foreign Assets Control Office, 2023-08-30)
[25] supported
OFAC designated leaders of armed groups under Executive Order 13413 for actions that threaten the peace, security or stability of the DRC.
"for being a leader of an entity, including any armed group, that"Notice of OFAC Sanctions Actions (Treasury Department, Foreign Assets Control Office, 2023-08-30)
[26] supported
Rwanda, despite a UN demand to withdraw from the region, announced it would adopt a lasting 'defensive posture', citing threats to its security and territorial integrity.
"Le Rwanda, sommé par l’ONU de se retirer de cette région, annonce pour sa part adopter une"Chronologie du conflit du M23