eastern DRC Stories

SADC begins phased withdrawal of peacekeeping force from eastern DR Congo
Rachael Mutabasi  |  May 01, 2025

The phased withdrawal, which began on April 29, 2025, marks the conclusion of a mission launched in December 2023 to stabilise and restore peace in on...

Africa's diplomatic setback: How external powers took over the Rwanda-DRC peace talks
Mary Wambui  |  Apr 26, 2025

Qatar brokered a truce between the government of DRC and the M23 on Wednesday as the US brokered another between Rwanda and DRC on Friday, breathing a...

DRC and Rwanda sign declaration of principles in Washington, paving way for historic peace deal
Mary Wambui  |  Apr 25, 2025

It raises hopes that the latest cycle of violence in a decades-long conflict rooted in the Rwandan genocide might ease, with both countries hoping to...

Sick and exhausted: Children from DRC represent new face of Uganda’s growing refugee crisis
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 09, 2025

The growing demand against a shrinking pool of resources has left Uganda’s refugee response in a fragile state.

Two Ugandan pilots kidnapped after ambush by gunmen in eastern DR Congo
Eastleigh Voice Reporter  |  Mar 31, 2025

The plane, which was reportedly expected to land at Kavumu Airport in Bukavu to transport Red Cross International staff to Entebbe, came under attack...

DR Congo to start political consultations for government of national unity
XINHUA  |  Mar 23, 2025

The mineral-rich eastern DRC remains a focal point of conflict, with various armed groups vying for control over resources such as coltan, tin, tantal...

DR Congo’s M23 rebels say they will withdraw from seized town to support peace push
Reuters  |  Mar 23, 2025

It would have been their first direct engagement with DR Congo's government after President Felix Tshisekedi reversed his longstanding refusal to spea...

Uganda military says it killed 242 rebels in east Congo this week
Reuters  |  Mar 22, 2025

Uganda military spokesperson Chris Magezi said hundreds of CODECO fighters attacked a Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) military post in the Congo...

EAC, SADC ministers meet in Harare to discuss escalating crisis in eastern DRC
Mwangi Maina  |  Mar 17, 2025

One of the key issue that will be discussed is the appointment of the three co-facilitators named by President William Ruto to push the peace processe...

Clashes continue in eastern DR Congo days after attack on civilians left many dead
Reuters  |  Mar 10, 2025

The M23 rebel group, believed to be backed by Rwanda, has seized swathes of mineral-rich eastern Congo since the start of the year.

Rising chaos in DR Congo’s Bukavu, civilians caught in crossfire as M23 rebels advance
Margaret Wanjiru  |  Mar 03, 2025

As the city of Bukavu tries to recover from the violence, human rights groups and medical organisations are calling for immediate international assist...

Rebel-held ports in eastern DR Congo re-open as humanitarian aid needs grow
Reuters  |  Feb 18, 2025

A passenger boat from Bukavu to Goma left on Tuesday morning, operator Lweni Ndale said, adding it was the first he had sent since late January, short...

UN chief Guterres says 'dialogue must begin' between warring parties in eastern DR Congo
Reuters  |  Feb 15, 2025

M23 rebels have been pushing south towards Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern DRC, since they seized Goma, the largest city, at the end of las...

Guterres urges de-escalation as regional leaders convene on eastern DRC conflict
Mwangi Maina  |  Feb 07, 2025

UN reports indicate that Goma, the provincial capital, is effectively under siege, with exit routes blocked and its airport shut down indefinitely.

Uhuru blames Tshisekedi’s lack of political will for DRC peace talks disruptions
Mary Wambui  |  Feb 06, 2025

A comprehensive report on the status of the process has since been submitted to the African Union, EAC and the SADC secretariats ahead of their joint...

Rwanda, DRC leaders to attend regional mediation meeting in Tanzania
Mwangi Maina  |  Feb 04, 2025

The upcoming summit will be the first of its kind, bringing together EAC and SADC to address the DRC crisis.

South African troops are dying in DRC: Why they’re there and what’s going wrong
The Conversation  |  Feb 02, 2025

Their mandate is to support the DRC government, a member of the 16-member SADC group, in restoring peace, security and stability.

Rwanda denies SADC accusations of attacks on SAMIDRC troops, civilians
Lucy Mumbi  |  Feb 02, 2025

SADC expressed concern that the RDF's involvement in these attacks had further worsened the security situation in eastern DRC and undermined both the...

SADC leaders agree to joint meeting with EAC over eastern DRC conflict
Mwangi Maina  |  Feb 01, 2025

The decision follows a proposal from the East African Community (EAC) during its summit earlier in the week, signalling an effort to align regional ap...

UN Security Council demands M23 forces stop offensive in eastern DR Congo
Reuters  |  Jan 27, 2025

The council urged Rwanda and the DRC to return to talks to achieve peace and address issues related to the presence of Rwanda Defence Forces in the ea...

Ruto courts Angolan President Lourenço for support ahead of AUC chairperson's election
Mwangi Maina  |  Jan 10, 2025

On his way back from Ghana where he attended President John Mahama's inauguration, Ruto made a brief stop in Luanda for talks on regional peace, bilat...

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi sacks military top brass in major reshuffle
Reuters  |  Dec 20, 2024

The last significant military reshuffle took place in October 2022, when Tshisekedi appointed Tshiwewe as chief of staff.

Foreign mercenaries on duty in Democratic Republic of Congo
DW News  |  Dec 11, 2024

Retired military officers from Europe protect the DRC capital of North Kivu from falling to Rwandan-backed rebels. The job is well paid but soldiers m...

SADC heads of state meet in Zimbabwe over Eastern DRC crisis
Lucy Mumbi  |  Nov 17, 2024

The leaders are expected to receive an update on the progress of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), which was deployed on December 15, 2023, for a...

Militia kills 10 civilians in midnight attack in eastern DR Congo
Reuters  |  Sep 17, 2024

CODECO is one of a myriad of militias fighting over land and resources in eastern DR Congo.

Hope for peace as Angola brokers fresh truce in Eastern DRC
Mary Wambui  |  Aug 01, 2024

Kinshasa accuses Kigali of facilitating the most dominant armed group in Eastern DRC, a claim Rwanda has consistently denied.

Two aid workers killed in eastern Congo convoy attack
Reuters  |  Jul 02, 2024

Local administrator Alain Kiwewa confirmed the convoy had been attacked and said five of its vehicles had been burned.

Rwanda denies its troops attacked displaced persons camp in DR Congo
Reuters  |  May 05, 2024

Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo denied the RDF was behind the attack and instead blamed it on militias supported by the Congolese milit...

Eastern DRC faces catastrophe as violence, displacement surges
Hanifa Adan  |  May 01, 2024

The humanitarian efforts are severely hampered by funding shortages according to the statement, with only 16 per cent of the required $2.6 billion for...

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