DR Congo M23 Conflict and Eastern DRC Crisis
Recent Developments
012026-02-11: Angola announced a ceasefire between the Congolese government and M23, with implementation set for February 18 under the Doha process; Reuters reported continued mutual accusations of violations afterward.
022026-02-02: Congolese authorities accused M23 of a drone attack on Kisangani airport; M23 claimed the airport was being used for air operations against its positions.
03Late February 2026: Fighting resumed around Minembwe in South Kivu, with Congolese troops, local militias, and Burundian soldiers clashing with M23-affiliated fighters.
Interventions
- Doha-led mediation efforts involving ceasefire talks between the Congolese government and M23, with Angola playing a facilitation role.
- UN peacekeeping presence through MONUSCO, which remains deployed in the DRC under a renewed mandate reported in late 2025.
What Works
- Verified ceasefires backed by external monitoring and enforcement mechanisms are more likely to reduce frontline violence than unenforced declarations alone; current mediation efforts are focusing on this, though violations continue.
- Multilateral pressure on armed actors and their external supporters, including sanctions and diplomatic isolation, has been used to constrain escalation in eastern DRC, as reflected in ongoing U.S. and UN pressure referenced in recent reporting.
How to Help
- Donate to reputable humanitarian organizations responding to displacement and civilian protection needs in eastern DRC, such as UN agencies and established international NGOs.
- Support organizations that document abuses, protect civilians, and assist displaced families in North Kivu, South Kivu, and neighboring areas.
- Advocate for sustained diplomatic pressure, ceasefire monitoring, and humanitarian access through elected representatives and foreign ministries.
Make an Impact
Donate directly to 11 verified organizations working on this crisis. Every contribution makes a difference.
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Raise Awareness
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Verified Organizations
Organizations Helping(18)
Human Rights Watch monitors and documents escalating armed conflict, political violence, attacks on civilians, indiscriminate aerial bombardments, intercommunal violence, and humanitarian crises in South Sudan through detailed investigations and reporting. They highlight civilian casualties, displacement, sexual violence, and food insecurity, while advocating for accountability, cessation of hostilities, and international action to address violations by government forces, opposition groups like SPLA-IO and NAS, and urging compliance with peace agreements.
OCHA coordinates the humanitarian response in eastern DRC by leading the Humanitarian Response Plan, mobilizing and coordinating UN and NGO partners, conducting needs and population movement analysis, advocating for unimpeded humanitarian access, and managing funding appeals to close gaps in emergency assistance (food, health, shelter, protection). OCHA also publishes situation and displacement reports that guide operational priorities and donor engagement, and facilitates cluster coordination (health, protection, WASH, etc.) to align partner activities on the ground.
Amnesty International works on this issue by publishing analyses of Saudi laws and campaign materials showing how the male guardianship system entrenches discrimination against women. Its approach combines legal analysis, international campaigning, and pressure on Saudi authorities to remove guardianship requirements that affect travel, marriage, divorce, and family life.
NRC addresses the drought crisis in Somalia by advocating for urgent humanitarian funding and delivering field-level assistance to displaced and vulnerable households. Its response typically includes emergency shelter, water, sanitation, cash assistance, and support for people forced from their homes by drought-driven displacement, while also pushing donors to fund underfinanced response plans.
