North Kivu: Civil Society Raises Alarm Over Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation in M23-Occupied Areas

Kinshasa, December 13, 2025 - North Kivu - Civil society is raising the alarm about the critical humanitarian situation in the territories of Masisi and Rutshuru, where people returning to areas controlled by the AFC-M23 are living in extremely precarious conditions.

According to Léopold Mwisha, a local civil society activist, families, mainly composed of farmers and herders, are suffering from malnutrition, lack of medical care, and insufficient shelter, while their agricultural and pastoral activities are severely disrupted.

He is calling for urgent intervention from authorities and humanitarian partners to assist these vulnerable communities and mitigate the consequences of the rebel occupation.

The period from December 1 to 14, 2025, was marked by a stark and troubling contradiction between diplomatic ambition and security reality in the Great Lakes region.

The signing of the DRC-Rwanda Peace Agreement in Washington on December 4 raised hopes for a lasting de-escalation, outlining commitments to a ceasefire, the neutralization of the FDLR, and the launch of joint economic initiatives such as the Rusizi III hydroelectric project.

Yet this diplomatic breakthrough was almost immediately undermined by a sharp deterioration of security in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in South Kivu. The capture of Uvira by the AFC/M23, accompanied by renewed fighting and mass displacement, exposed the fragility of the agreement. Kinshasa and Washington openly accused Rwanda of violating the accord, alleging continued military support for the rebellion and an escalation of cross-border operations.

At the same time, both countries pressed ahead with internal reforms: Rwanda advanced key infrastructure projects, while the DRC emphasized economic stabilization and state resilience, citing nearly $7.4 billion in foreign exchange reserves and the adoption of a security-centered 2026 national budget.

Ultimately, this two-week period illustrates a central paradox: while political frameworks for peace and development are taking shape, their success remains hostage to realities on the ground. The rapid collapse of the ceasefire underscores that the implementation of agreements, the cessation of proxy warfare, and the protection of civilians remain the most urgent-and most fragile-tests for peace in the Great Lakes region.