DR Congo | Fighting Intensifies in South Kivu as M23 Clashes Threaten Fragile Peace
Oasis Media Collective | Central Africa Wire | February 9, 2026
KEY FACTS
Heavy clashes between DRC army (FARDC) and M23 rebels near Minembwe, South Kivu.
Strategic region rich in coltan, gold, and other critical minerals.
Threatens U.S.-brokered peace deal and regional stability.
MINEMBWE, DR Congo — Violent clashes between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and M23 rebels have escalated dramatically in South Kivu province over the past 72 hours, threatening to unravel U.S.-brokered peace efforts and triggering a fresh humanitarian crisis in the mineral-rich eastern region.
Heavy fighting erupted near Minembwe, close to the towns of Fizi and Uvira along the Burundi border, with civilians trapped in crossfire as hospitals become overwhelmed and critical infrastructure damaged. Reports indicate roads, power lines, and communications networks have been severely disrupted, hampering emergency response efforts.
The clashes mark a violent uptick in the activity of M23, a rebel movement that first emerged in 2012 over the marginalization of Tutsi communities in eastern Congo. While largely defeated by FARDC and UN peacekeepers in 2013, the group resurged in 2025, exploiting weak governance and local grievances in resource-rich territories.
Kinshasa officials have accused Rwanda of backing the rebels, allegations Kigali firmly denies. The accusations add a volatile diplomatic dimension to an already fragile regional situation, with Rwanda-DRC relations at risk of serious deterioration. The fighting threatens ongoing African Union and U.S. mediation efforts aimed at stabilizing the Great Lakes region.
Humanitarian conditions are rapidly worsening. Medical facilities report being unable to handle the influx of wounded civilians and combatants, while thousands have been displaced within South Kivu. Some families have reportedly fled across the border into Burundi seeking safety, raising concerns about a broader refugee crisis that could destabilize neighboring countries.
South Kivu’s strategic location along Lake Tanganyika and its abundant natural resources—including coltan, gold, and cassiterite—make territorial control highly valuable for both rebels and government forces. These minerals, essential for electronics manufacturing, have long funded armed groups in the region.
Looking ahead, continued clashes appear likely without swift diplomatic intervention. The UN Security Council may face pressure to consider sanctions or peacekeeping reinforcements, while the broader question of addressing root causes—inclusive governance, resource management oversight, and local security—remains unanswered. Without fundamental reforms, eastern DRC’s cycle of conflict threatens to continue indefinitely.
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