Less than 48 hours after formal peace talks resumed between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the AFC/M23 in Doha, renewed violence on the ground is threatening to derail diplomatic efforts.
On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, local sources confirmed that AFC/M23 rebels captured the village of Luchiga in the Luhwinja chiefdom, Mwenga territory of South Kivu. According to eyewitness accounts, the rebels seized control of installations belonging to the Canadian mining firm BANRO after launching coordinated attacks on positions held by the pro-government Wazalendo militia.
On Tuesday, 6 May 2025, local sources report the capture of the village of Luchiga, located in the Luhwinja chiefdom, Mwenga territory in South Kivu, by #AFC_M23 pic.twitter.com/9QSkNeFZh6
— KIGALI DAILY NEWS (@kigalidailynews) May 6, 2025
At the same time, the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) were reportedly engaged in new offensives, despite the ongoing peace process. Several sources indicated that these FARDC attacks may have triggered counter-offensives by the M23-AFC, which continued advancing in other parts of North and South Kivu provinces.
Although the AFC/M23 has publicly reiterated its support for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, the renewed fighting paints a conflicting picture on the ground. The latest violation of the ceasefire agreement raises fresh doubts over the commitment of the Congolese coalition to the peace framework negotiated in Doha.
As tensions rise and military operations escalate, prospects for a lasting peace in the troubled eastern region of the DRC remain uncertain.
