Violence erupts in DR Congo shortly after Trump's peace deal ceremony

Hostilities have resumed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with clashes between the M23 rebel faction and government troops occurring just a day after leaders from the DRC and Rwanda signed a US-facilitated peace agreement in Washington, aimed at ending long-standing conflict.

Both sides accused each other of instigating the renewed violence on Friday. The M23 movement reported that 23 people were killed and several more injured due to artillery fire by Congolese forces. Spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said on X that the army and its allies targeted densely populated areas in North Kivu and South Kivu using fighter jets, drones, and heavy weaponry.

Kanyuka added that two bombs reportedly launched from Burundi on Thursday evening hit near Kamanyola, resulting in four deaths and two serious injuries. Earlier this year, the Rwandan-backed group captured the eastern cities of Goma and Bukavu, and is not included in the US peace agreement.

An anonymous senior M23 official informed Reuters that the rebels had regained control of Luberika and shot down a Congolese army drone. Meanwhile, a DRC military representative confirmed ongoing clashes along the Kaziba, Katogota, and Rurambo axes in South Kivu province, noting population displacements in Luvungi due to bombardments by Rwandan forces.

Rwandan authorities did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The outbreak of violence followed a US-hosted ceremony where DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandas Paul Kagame reaffirmed their commitment to the June peace deal, intended to stabilize the country and encourage Western mining investment. President Trump, speaking at the event, described the agreement as a step toward resolving a conflict spanning decades.

Experts warn that while US diplomacy temporarily prevented further escalation, underlying tensions remain unresolved, and key promises from the June agreement have yet to be implemented by both nations.

Fridays clashes forced over 700 Congolese, mainly women and children, to flee into Rwanda. Phanuel Sindayiheba, a local official in Rusizi district, said refugees were being temporarily housed at a transit center and provided with essentials such as food and bedding.

Social media footage showed lines of displaced people moving toward Rwanda via the Bugarama-Kamanyola border post, carrying personal belongings and livestock. From July to October, over 123,600 people were displaced in the DRC due to armed conflicts, land disputes, and natural hazards, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Author: Zoe Harrison