M23 Rebels Offensive in DR Congo (2025)
Following a lightning onslaught, the rebel forces of M23 movement allegedly backed by Rwanda took control of nearly the whole city of Goma, a vital hub for the trade of minerals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in late January 2025.

South African, Rwandan Presidents Agree on Need for Urgent Ceasefire in DR Congo

© Getty Images / Luke DraySouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa (L), and President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame (R), are seen before the start of 100 days of remembrance as Rwanda commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Tutsi genocide on April 7, 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (L), and President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame (R), are seen before the start of 100 days of remembrance as Rwanda commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Tutsi genocide on April 7, 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 28.01.2025
Subscribe
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame held a phone conversation to address the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where intense clashes continue between government forces and rebel groups, the South African presidency said on Tuesday.
The two leaders of the African nations agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks by all parties to the conflict.

"President Cyril Ramaphosa held a telephone call with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda to discuss the recent developments in the eastern DRC and the escalation in fighting that has resulted in the deaths of SAMIDRC peacekeepers," the statement read.

The Southern African Development Community said over the weekend that its SAMIDRC mission in the eastern Congolese city of Goma came under a deadly attack by the M23 armed group on January 22, in what it said was a clear violation of the Angola-brokered ceasefire.
In July 2022, a DRC-Rwanda summit took place in Angola after M23 rebels, who claim to be protecting the rights of the Tutsi minority, stepped up the fighting in the eastern DRC. The DRC accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels, while Rwanda denied having any links to the movement.
Both countries have repeatedly accused each other of shelling each other's border territories. At the summit, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, agreed to deescalate relations between the two countries. The roadmap adopted by the two leaders called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of M23 militants from their positions in the DRC. However, the M23 militants said that they did not consider themselves obligated by the provisions of the roadmap.
Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC, speaks virtually during the rescheduled Security Council meeting on situation in the DRC at UN Headquarters, January 26, 2025. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 28.01.2025
M23 Rebels Offensive in DR Congo (2025)
UNSC to Discuss DRC Again as Rebels Advance in Country's East, Chairman Says
Newsfeed
0