Statement from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes on the escalation in South Kivu

The International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG) expresses its profound concern regarding the renewed outbreak of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the new offensive of the March 23 Movement (M23), supported by Rwanda, around Uvira (South Kivu) close to Burundi which risks destabilizing the whole region. The ICG expresses particular concern at the increased use of both attack and suicide drones in the conflict. This represents a significant escalation in the fighting and poses an acute risk to civilian populations.

The ICG urges the M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) to immediately halt offensive operations in eastern DRC, in particular in South Kivu, and calls on the RDF to withdraw from eastern DRC in line with UNSC resolution 2773 and on the M23 to uphold its commitments under the Declaration of Principles that was signed in Doha on 19 July 2025.

The ICG calls on all parties to honour their obligations to protect civilians, adhere to all aspects of UNSC resolution 2773, including full respect of territorial integrity, to uphold their commitments under the Washington Accords of 4 December 2025 and immediately deescalate the situation. We urge all parties to avoid escalatory or provocative speech and actions that gravely endanger civilian populations and risk irreparably undermining the significant progress achieved with the Framework Agreement signed in Doha on 15 November 2025 by the Government of the DRC and M23. The ICG further calls on all actors involved to urgently and unequivocally recommit to the ceasefire and to ensure full, safe and unimpeded, humanitarian access so that critical assistance can reach those in need.