In recent weeks, the M23 rebels have seized major urban centers, including Goma and Bukavu, strategic cities in North and South Kivu provinces, respectively. Their rapid advance has led to widespread displacement, with over 350,000 people forced to flee their homes, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
The United Nations has expressed alarm over the situation, with special envoy Bintou Keita warning the Security Council that the M23 offensive, allegedly backed by Rwanda, threatens peace across the Great Lakes region. Keita emphasized the urgency of decisive action to prevent a broader regional conflict.
In response to the escalating crisis, the UK government has summoned Rwandan diplomats to address concerns over Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebels. A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office stated, “The entrance of M23 and the Rwandan Defence Force into Bukavu is a violation of DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a breach of the UN Charter.” 
The conflict has also led to internal turmoil within the DRC’s military forces. As government troops retreated from Bukavu to avoid urban warfare, clashes erupted with allied militias, notably the Wazalendo, along key routes. This disarray has further destabilized the region, undermining efforts to counter the M23 insurgency.
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Rwanda has consistently denied supporting the M23 rebels, asserting that its military actions are defensive measures against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu militia operating in eastern Congo. However, both the DRC government and international observers dispute these claims, accusing Rwanda of exacerbating the conflict for strategic and economic gains.
The recent advances by the M23 rebels in eastern Congo have escalated tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, drawing international attention to the potential for a wider regional conflict.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, the situation underscores the urgent need for a coordinated response to address the complex interplay of local grievances, regional dynamics, and international interests fueling the ongoing crisis.
