The March 23 Movement (M23) is a Rwanda-backed rebel group operating primarily in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Emerging in 2012, M23 has significantly influenced the region’s security dynamics through its military campaigns and territorial control. Over the past year, M23 has significantly expanded its influence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) thus greatly contributing to political unrest in the entire region. In early 2024, M23 captured key territories in North Kivu province, including the strategic town of Bunagana, disrupting regional stability. By mid-2024, United Nations experts estimated that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops were operating in the DRC alongside M23, highlighting external involvement in the conflict. The group’s control over mineral-rich areas, such as the Rubaya mining zone, has generated substantial revenue, approximately $300,000 monthly, further fuelling their operations. Despite international calls for ceasefire, M23’s recent advances, including reaching the outskirts of Walikale in March 2025, underscore the ongoing challenges in achieving lasting peace in the region. In this short piece, we will provide a brief introduction of this highly impactful, yet still rather unknown movement which has once again flared up Kivi, and in turn destabilised the fragile balance of power of the entire Great Lakes region of East Africa.

Origins and Formation

M23 traces its roots to the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), a Tutsi-led rebel group active in eastern DRC. In 2009, a peace agreement was brokered between the CNDP and the Congolese government, leading to the integration of CNDP fighters into the national army, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC). However, by 2012, a faction of these integrated soldiers mutinied, citing the government’s failure to fully implement the peace accord, particularly concerning the protection of Tutsi communities and addressing grievances related to discrimination and marginalization. This mutiny led to the formation of M23, named after the March 23, 2009, peace agreement.

The origins of the M23 rebel group are deeply intertwined with the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, during which approximately 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu were killed. Following the genocide, many Hutu extremists, including members of the génocidaire militia (Interahamwe) and ex-Rwandan armed forces (FAR), fled into the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), then known as Zaire. These forces established militant strongholds in eastern DRC, threatening Rwanda’s security and attacking Tutsi communities in the region. In response, Rwanda intervened militarily in the DRC during the First and Second Congo Wars, aiming to dismantle these militant groups and protect Tutsi populations. This intervention created lasting tensions and contributed to the emergence of Tutsi-aligned rebel groups like the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), which eventually gave rise to M23. Claiming to protect Tutsi communities and fight against discrimination, M23 is viewed by many as a continuation of Rwanda’s post-genocide security concerns, though its actions in the DRC have fuelled conflict and accusations of human rights violations.

Objectives and Aims

M23’s stated objectives include:

• Protection of Tutsi Communities: The group asserts its role in defending Tutsi populations in eastern DRC against ethnic violence and persecution.

• Implementation of the 2009 Peace Agreement: M23 demands the full execution of the terms agreed upon in 2009, alleging that the government has reneged on its commitments to the CNDP.

• Addressing Governance Issues: The group criticizes the Congolese government’s corruption, lack of basic services, and inadequate security in the eastern regions, advocating for better governance and development.

Regional Dynamics and Allegations of External Support

M23’s activities have regional implications, with allegations of support from neighbouring countries, notably Rwanda and Uganda. The DRC government and various international bodies have accused the Rwandan Tustsi president Kagame of covertly providing military assistance to M23, including troops and weaponry, though Rwanda officially denies these claims. Similarly, reports have emerged suggesting Uganda’s involvement, with allegations of coordinated support to the rebels.

These external involvements complicate the conflict, introducing regional rivalries and geopolitical interests that hinder peace efforts. Despite several ceasefire agreements and international mediation, the persistence of M23’s insurgency underscores the challenges in achieving lasting stability in eastern DRC.

Recent Developments in North Kivu

Since its resurgence in 2021, M23 has conducted several offensives, leading to significant territorial gains in North Kivu. In early 2024, the group expanded its control over strategic areas, including the capture of the town of Masisi, the second largest city in the province in January 2025. Masisi’s capture is particularly significant due to its proximity to Goma, the provincial capital, and its role as a gateway to the interior of the country.

Since January 2025, the rebel group has continued its territorial expansion in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), defying international calls for a ceasefire. In early February, M23 forces advanced toward the strategic mining hub of Rubaya, further strengthening their financial foothold. By March, they had reached the outskirts of Walikale, marking a significant territorial gain despite ongoing peace negotiations. Alongside their movements near key border areas, M23 has also pushed further inland, extending their control toward Masisi and Lubero territories, threatening critical supply routes and increasing pressure on the Congolese army. Reports indicate that Rwandan military support remains a key factor in M23’s battlefield successes, intensifying regional tensions. As the group consolidates power, humanitarian conditions in affected areas have deteriorated, displacing thousands and leading to severe human rights violations, which have had led many to question the ability of DRC president Tshisekedi to govern the region. Reports indicate that M23 has been involved in unlawful killings, rapes, and other war crimes, further destabilising the area and worsening the plight of civilians.

The resurgence of M23 has led to a dire humanitarian situation in North Kivu. The United Nations estimates that over 1.9 million people have now been displaced due to the conflict, with many lacking access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare. The displacement has also strained resources in host communities, leading to tensions and further instability.

Human rights organisations have documented numerous abuses committed by M23 fighters, including forced recruitment of child soldiers, sexual violence, and summary executions. These actions have drawn international condemnation and calls for accountability, though bringing perpetrators to justice remains challenging amid ongoing hostilities.

International Response

The international community has responded to the crisis with a combination of diplomatic pressure, sanctions, and peacekeeping efforts. The United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has been actively involved in attempting to protect civilians and support the Congolese government’s efforts to stabilise the region. However, the complexity of the conflict, coupled with the involvement of regional actors, has limited the effectiveness of these interventions.

In addition to peacekeeping efforts, various countries and international organisations have imposed sanctions on M23 leaders and alleged supporters. These measures aim to cut off the group’s access to resources and pressure external actors to cease any support. Despite these efforts, M23 continues to operate, raising questions about the efficacy of sanctions in resolving the conflict.

The only country in the region that was able to actively stave off M23’s advancement has been Burundi. Burundi’s military has been involved in eastern DRC as part of regional efforts to counter M23 and other armed groups. Since early 2024, Burundian troops have operated in South Kivu and parts of North Kivu under the East African Community (EAC) military mission. Though the presence of the Burundi Army has added another layer of complexity to the conflict and heightened tensions between regional actors complicating peace efforts, it appears that, thus far, Burundi’s military intervention has been an important element in curbing Rwanda’s expansionist aims.

Conclusion

The March 23 Movement remains a formidable force in eastern DRC, with its origins rooted in historical grievances and its actions contributing to ongoing instability in North Kivu and, as a result, the entire region. The group’s stated aims of protecting specific communities and advocating for better governance are overshadowed by its ties to Rwanda, involvement in human rights abuses and the exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis.

Addressing the challenges posed by M23 requires a multifaceted approach that includes:

• Robust Diplomatic Engagement: Engaging regional actors to address external support for the group and fostering dialogue between the DRC government and neighbouring countries.

• Strengthening Governance: Implementing reforms to address corruption, improve service delivery, and enhance security in eastern DRC to undermine the appeal of rebel groups.

• Humanitarian Assistance: Providing aid to displaced populations and supporting initiatives that promote human rights and accountability.

Without comprehensive efforts that address both the symptoms and root causes of the conflict, the cycle of violence in North Kivu is likely to persist, with devastating consequences for the civilian population.

Sources:

1. ACLED Actor Profile (Mar. 2023): https://acleddata.com/2023/03/23/actor-profile-m23-drc/

2. Al Jazeera Inside Story (Jan. 2025): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWUexz45dNg

3. Arte Documentary: “The Never Ending War” (Oct. 2024): https://www.arte.tv/en/videos/117618-000-A/arte-reportage/)

4. UN 2024 Report (Feb. 2024): https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15596.doc.htm