Fighters from the Rwanda-backed M23 movement have captured Lumbishi, a key mining settlement in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking another advancement in the conflict-ridden eastern region of the country. Local sources confirmed that the armed group took control of the mineral-rich site, located in the Sud-Kivu region, at approximately 1530 GMT on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
Residents reported by telephone that M23 forces were moving towards Numbi and Shanje, two other significant locations in the Kalehe territory. The situation has intensified, with a security source stating, “Since this morning there has been fighting against the enemy in Kalehe,” emphasizing the volatile security landscape. The source requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the ongoing operations.
The Movement of March 23, commonly known as M23, is widely recognized for its ties to the Rwandan government and support from Rwandan troops. Since its resurgence in 2021, the group has seized large portions of eastern DRC, exploiting the region’s wealth of natural resources, including gold, coltan, and other valuable minerals.
The humanitarian impact of the conflict has been devastating. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), at least 237,000 people have been displaced since January alone, fleeing the escalating violence between M23 fighters and the Congolese army. Many of the displaced individuals face dire conditions in overcrowded camps, with limited access to basic necessities such as food, water, and healthcare.
Efforts to broker peace have so far proven unsuccessful. A highly anticipated summit scheduled for December 15, 2024, aimed at halting the fighting, was abruptly canceled after both parties failed to reach a consensus on the terms for negotiations. The breakdown of dialogue underscores the complexities of achieving a resolution in a conflict deeply rooted in ethnic tensions, geopolitical interests, and competition for control over the region’s abundant resources.
The latest M23 advances have raised alarm among international observers and neighboring countries. Advocacy groups are calling for urgent intervention to prevent further bloodshed and displacement. The situation also highlights the need for a sustainable resolution to the long-standing conflict, which continues to destabilize the region and exact a heavy toll on civilian populations.
As the DRC grapples with the ongoing crisis, the international community faces mounting pressure to act decisively in support of peace efforts and the protection of vulnerable communities caught in the crossfire.
