Advertisement

Image: Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua/IMAGO

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

A renewed insurgency by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels threatens the stability of DR Congo.

Skip next section All Content on this topic

All Content on this topic

A soldier sits on the back of a pick-up truck as it drives through Bukavu

A soldier sits on the back of a pick-up truck as it drives through Bukavu

Congo rebels say forces have entered city of Bukavu

The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group has claimed more territory in Congo, after taking the key city of Goma in January.

An M23 rebel soldier with his faced covered, in military outfit holding a gun on February 6, 2025

An M23 rebel soldier with his faced covered, in military outfit holding a gun on February 6, 2025

DR Congo: M23 rebels seize second airport

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi said Rwanda should be "blacklisted" as rebel forces advanced in eastern Congo.

M23 rebels walk in front and beside Romanian mercenaries along a street in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. Beside them is a large, bright red truck

M23 rebels walk in front and beside Romanian mercenaries along a street in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. Beside them is a large, bright red truck

Romania, DRC: Who is mercenary leader Horatiu Potra?

Horatiu Potra is a Romanian citizen who, until recently, managed a private military company in Congo. Who is he?

A man holds a machine gun up to his face in a file photo from 2006

A man holds a machine gun up to his face in a file photo from 2006

DR Congo: Militia kill dozens of villagers in Ituri province

At least 50 people have been reported killed in the eastern Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame

DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame

Can Africa jumpstart the DRC peace process?

The governments of Congo and Rwanda are facing intense public scrutiny and pressure as the conflict escalates.

M23 rebels escort government soldiers and police who surrendered to an undisclosed location in Goma, Democratic republic of the Congo, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.

M23 rebels escort government soldiers and police who surrendered to an undisclosed location in Goma, Democratic republic of the Congo, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.

War in eastern Congo escalates amid international hesitancy

Despite comparisons to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there is little push for sanctions or other international measures.

A group of women and men standing in front of a banner that reads "Joint EAC-SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government"

A group of women and men standing in front of a banner that reads "Joint EAC-SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government"

Leaders across Africa call for end to DR Congo conflict

Talks in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea come as the fight between the DRC government and Rwanda-backed militants grows.

people at a market in Bukavu

people at a market in Bukavu

Rwanda-backed M23 advances in Democratic Republic of Congo

M23 is approaching Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and pushing into the South Kivu province.

DRC soldier on motorbike in Lubero, North Kivu on December 18, 2024

DRC soldier on motorbike in Lubero, North Kivu on December 18, 2024

UN rights chief warns against 'escalating' DR Congo conflict

The UNHRC is mulling whether to launch a probe on alleged abuses in eastern Congo on Kinshasa's request.

A child holds her nose and turns away as workers in white protective gear begin burying dozen of dead bodies concealed in white body bags

A child holds her nose and turns away as workers in white protective gear begin burying dozen of dead bodies concealed in white body bags

Despite DRC ceasefire, Goma's humanitarian situation is bad

Hospitals in Goma in eastern DRC have reached capacity. Observers are skeptical of the ceasefire declared.

A man and a woman attempt to salvage some of their belongings from where their home once stood, now destroyed and burned during clashes in eastern DR Congo

A man and a woman attempt to salvage some of their belongings from where their home once stood, now destroyed and burned during clashes in eastern DR Congo

Does the EU fuel the conflict in the DRC?

Activists say a minerals deal with Rwanda may have encouraged the M23 rebels to exploit Congo's resources.

Bags and other items lie on a street in Goma. A title super-imposed over the image reads "Conflict in the DRC: Who supports whom?"

Bags and other items lie on a street in Goma. A title super-imposed over the image reads "Conflict in the DRC: Who supports whom?"

Conflict in DRC: Who supports whom?

With Congo's rebel groups seizing key cities and neighboring nations taking sides, who truly benefits from the chaos?

A UN armoured personnel carrier burns during clashes with M23 rebels outside Goma, DR Congo

A UN armoured personnel carrier burns during clashes with M23 rebels outside Goma, DR Congo

DR Congo: ICC tribunal closely monitoring surge in fighting

Meanwhile, M23 rebels launched a renewed offensive toward Bukavu in South Kivu.

DW Afrimaxx Sendungslogo Composite

DW Afrimaxx Sendungslogo Composite

Afrimaxx — Modern African Lifestyle

Kick-flipping girl skaters from Ethiopia, pumped up Kenyan kicks, and Senegalese artist Soly Cissé.

Chef Jane Nshuti preparing several dishes with green leaves

Chef Jane Nshuti preparing several dishes with green leaves

How this former refugee is cooking up a pan-African storm

Jane Nshuti masters a true plant-based African cuisine.

Masked Red Cross team members in white overalls stand among body bags as they proceed with the burial of victims of the fighting in Goma, DRC

Masked Red Cross team members in white overalls stand among body bags as they proceed with the burial of victims of the fighting in Goma, DRC

DRC clashes leave humanitarian emergency in their wake

M23 rebels have declared a ceasefire in Congo, but the humanitarian cost of the fighting is only just emerging.

Protrait picture of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

Protrait picture of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

DRC crisis: What does it mean for South Africa?

Relations between Rwanda and South Africa have turned frosty in response to the conflict in eastern DRC — but why?

M23 rebel leader Corneille Nangaa addresses the media.

M23 rebel leader Corneille Nangaa addresses the media.

DR Congo: Rebel alliance announces unilateral ceasefire

The M23 rebel group said that it would observe a ceasefire from February 4, a week after it seized eastern Congo's Goma.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (l.), President of Zimbabwe and SADC Chairman Emmerson Mnangagwa (c.) and SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi (r.) at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) extraordinary summit in Harare on January 31, 2025

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (l.), President of Zimbabwe and SADC Chairman Emmerson Mnangagwa (c.) and SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi (r.) at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) extraordinary summit in Harare on January 31, 2025

DRC conflict: African nations seek solution under strain

At crisis talks in Harare, the Southern African Development Community reaffirmed its support of the DRC.

A man and his children sitting around a table in their home in Goma

A man and his children sitting around a table in their home in Goma

DR Congo: People in Goma suffer in wake of fighting

A family in the city of Goma recounts their traumatic experiences from during and after the fighting.

Members of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) are seen riding on the back of a pickup truck in Goma, North Kivu province, on January 25, 2025

Members of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) are seen riding on the back of a pickup truck in Goma, North Kivu province, on January 25, 2025

Blue Helmets in eastern Congo: Unloved, but still needed

The UN peacekeeping mission in Congo was meant to end quickly. Has the M23 offensive now led to a change of course?

M23 rebels in Goma

M23 rebels in Goma

DR Congo: SADC reaffirms 'commitment' amid M23 advance

SADC leaders held crisis talks in Zimbabwe as M23 rebels advance on Bukavu, just days after seizing Goma.

Members of the M23 armed group stand next to passing vehicles

Members of the M23 armed group stand next to passing vehicles

M23 rebels in DR Congo advance on Bukavu after seizing Goma

Volunteers in Bukavu are rallying to help defend the city from the Rwandan-backed armed group.

M23 rebels on pickup truck

M23 rebels on pickup truck

France tells Rwanda to 'immediately' leave DR Congo

France's Foreign Ministry said that Congo's territorial integrity was "non-negotiable" amid a M23 rebel offensive.

M23 rebels walk beside a truck and behind a red and white border crossing in Rubavu district, Rwanda

M23 rebels walk beside a truck and behind a red and white border crossing in Rubavu district, Rwanda

M23 rebels seize more territory in Congo

M23 rebels have seized nearly all of Goma and are reportedly moving south to the city of Bukavu.

M23 member walks alongside citizens.

M23 member walks alongside citizens.

DR Congo: 'Diplomacy has failed'

The international community, led by the mediator country Angola, remains committed to continuing negotiations in Congo.

A UN armoured personnel carrier burns in the background as three armed men on a motorbike pass

A UN armoured personnel carrier burns in the background as three armed men on a motorbike pass

Can UN peacekeepers still mitigate conflict in DRC, Rwanda?

At least 17 UN peacekeepers stationed in the conflict-ridden region have been killed in the latest M23 rebel offensive.

A hand holds a chunk of cobolt.

A hand holds a chunk of cobolt.

DR Congo: What role do minerals play in the conflict?

The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the world’s most resource-rich nations, yet its people remain poor.

Displaced people arrive by boat at the Nzulo port, near Goma, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Displaced people arrive by boat at the Nzulo port, near Goma, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

DR Congo: 500,000 forced to flee their homes in January

Fierce fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has displaced more than half a million people.

People protest on the streets with black smoke billowing.

People protest on the streets with black smoke billowing.

DR Congo: What you need to know about the conflict

The volatile situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo has a long history. Here's what you need to know.

Protesters clash with riot police forces in front of the French Embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Protesters clash with riot police forces in front of the French Embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

DR Congo: EU, France condemn attacks on embassies

Other embassies in were also attacked amid demonstrations against an escalating conflict in the country's east.

Soldiers of the Armed forces of the Democratic republic of Congo (FARDC) ride on top of a tank as they advance towards Sake, 25km north west of Goma, on January 23, 2025.

Soldiers of the Armed forces of the Democratic republic of Congo (FARDC) ride on top of a tank as they advance towards Sake, 25km north west of Goma, on January 23, 2025.

Congo conflict: Who are the M23 rebels behind rising unrest?

The M23 rebels have been active in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since 2012. What fuels their ongoing conflict?

M23 rebels stand with their weapons in Kibumba

M23 rebels stand with their weapons in Kibumba

Congo-Rwanda border shut as M23 rebels claim Goma capture

Heavy artillery fire could be heard in Goma on Monday, hours after Rwandan-backed M23 rebels entered the town.

Smoke billows over Goma, North Kivu, Congo

Smoke billows over Goma, North Kivu, Congo

DR Congo says Rwanda army in Goma

Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said Kinshasha wanted to prevent "carnage."

A boy followed by goats carries his belongings as he flees the fighting. In the background more people can be seeing carrying their belongings.

A boy followed by goats carries his belongings as he flees the fighting. In the background more people can be seeing carrying their belongings.

In Congo, M23 rebels advance on North Kivu's capital Goma

Congo's army and UN peacekeepers are trying to contain an M23 advance which has already displaced hundreds of thousands.

Congolese M23 rebels are seen walking down a dusty road

Congolese M23 rebels are seen walking down a dusty road

Congo violence escalates as M23 follow raw materials trail

The M23 rebels have advanced further into the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their target: lucrative mining areas.

A UN armoured personnel carrier burns during clashes with M23 rebels outside Goma

A UN armoured personnel carrier burns during clashes with M23 rebels outside Goma

DR Congo: Peacekeepers killed in heavy fighting with M23

South Africa's military has said nine soldiers were killed, with Malawi and Uruguay also reporting deaths.

A view of Congo soldiers riding on top of a tank

A view of Congo soldiers riding on top of a tank

Warring factions battle for control in eastern Congo

The Congolese army is fighting the M23 rebel group as it advances toward Goma, home to more than half a million people.

Peter Cirimwami, governor of North Kivu province Peter Chirimwami (FILE: May 8, 2024)

Peter Cirimwami, governor of North Kivu province Peter Chirimwami (FILE: May 8, 2024)

DR Congo: Governor killed as fighting intensifies

Western governments have urged their citizens to leave the main city of Goma as the fighting intensifies in eastern DRC.

Soldiers of the Armed forces of the Democratic republic of Congo (FARDC) ride on top of a tank as they leave the city of Goma

Soldiers of the Armed forces of the Democratic republic of Congo (FARDC) ride on top of a tank as they leave the city of Goma

DR Congo: Military fights to halt M23 rebels, UN 'alarmed'

The M23 rebels have seized swathes of territory in the east of DR Congo. The armed group made a resurgence in 2021.

M23 rebels in uniform with weapons marching on a sandy path in the bush

M23 rebels in uniform with weapons marching on a sandy path in the bush

Congo conflict: Why a US peace initiative faltered

The incentive, rebuffed by Rwanda, involved expanding the US-funded Lobito Corridor to volatile eastern Congo.

A doctor treating a person with mpox in the DRC on September 4, 2024

A doctor treating a person with mpox in the DRC on September 4, 2024

Sierra Leone declares public health emergency over mpox

Two cases in less than four days has spurred authorities to take action to contain the spread of the viral disease.

The 77 Percent Magazine #249 Mining

The 77 Percent Magazine #249 Mining

Lubumbashi is more than mining, its young creatives say

There's more to Lubumbashi than just mining and its young creatives want to spread the word.

DW AfricaLink

DW AfricaLink

Congo slams Apple over 'conflict minerals' supply chain

DW's Josey Mahachi and Alex Ngarambe discuss the fallout with Alex Vines from British think tank Chatham House.

Man carrying a heavy sack on his back and other laborers in a dirt pit with massive bags

Man carrying a heavy sack on his back and other laborers in a dirt pit with massive bags

Why the DR Congo sued Apple over 'conflict minerals'

Local communities affected by illicit mining explore the potential ramifications of a victory against the US tech giant.

The 77 Percent Magazine #249 Mining

The 77 Percent Magazine #249 Mining

The 77 Percent — The Magazine for Africa's Youth

The 77 Percent meets young people in Ghana and the DRC to understand the impact of mining.

Congolese army soldiers march past a tank aimed towards Kibumba Hill, near the provincial capital Goma, in eastern Congo, on October 27, 2013

Congolese army soldiers march past a tank aimed towards Kibumba Hill, near the provincial capital Goma, in eastern Congo, on October 27, 2013

Congo and Rwanda say Angola peace talks canceled

The Congolese army has been fighting M23 rebels for the past three years in the east of the country.

Therese Kayikwamba Wagner speaks with two DW journalists

Therese Kayikwamba Wagner speaks with two DW journalists

Can Angolan diplomacy help silence guns in eastern Congo?

Congo's foreign minister speaks with DW ahead of a Luanda peace summit aimed at ending the conflict with the M23 rebels.

Aerial view of Goma city in the DRC

Aerial view of Goma city in the DRC

Foreign fighters defend DR Congo from M23 rebels

Retired European officers are protecting resource-rich North Kivu province from falling to Rwandan-backed rebels.

A scientist with a pipette

A scientist with a pipette

Congo's Disease X: Could it be malaria?

An undiagnosed 'Disease X' is spreading in a remote region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Can it be treated?