Washington and EU Demand Immediate Halt to M23 and Rwandan Forces’ Offensive in South Kivu

Kinshasa - The United States and several European countries, convening within the Great Lakes Contact Group on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, called on the M23/AFC and Rwandan forces to immediately cease their offensives in eastern DRC.

The group expressed deep concern over the escalating violence around Uvira, a city seized the following day by the Kigali-backed rebellion. In a joint statement, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, the United States, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, and the European Union condemned the increased use of attack drones, calling it a "significant escalation" posing a serious threat to civilians.

The statement demands the withdrawal of Rwandan troops in accordance with UN Resolution 2773, full compliance by M23 with the Doha Declaration of July 19, 2025, and the implementation of the Washington Agreements of December 4, 2025. Signatories also call for the protection of civilians, respect for the territorial integrity of the DRC, the unequivocal restoration of the ceasefire, and full and safe humanitarian access.