Brussels 31.01.2025 In spite of the degrading security situation in Northern Kivu, DRC, the EU has not adapted its position, continuing to insist on the initial message. A week ago the issue was issued by the European Union diplomacy, requesting “… the M23 to stop its advance and withdraw immediately. The EU reiterates that Rwanda must cease its support for the M23 and withdraw. The EU strongly condemns Rwanda’s military presence in the DRC as a clear violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the territorial integrity of the DRC. The EU continues to urge the DRC to cease cooperation with the FDLR and other armed groups”. (Below Midday press briefing European Commission 31.01.2025 Question: Anna van Densky)

The M23 rebels have already taken under control Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, which characterized the most significant escalation in the conflict in the eastern DRC since the group last time seized Goma in 2012. The rebel’s ambition to consolidate control over mineral-rich territory, and the surrounding infrastructure.
The armed conflict in the Eastern Congo (DRC) will continue to escalate in the short term because M23’s military gains have not motivated the government in Kinshasa to agree to negotiations with the rebels. The successful M23 group, and its Rwandan patrons are seeking to benefit of their military success in anticipation of the negotiations with the foes.
The extremist wing of the M23 has indicated that they are aiming at regime change in Kinshasa, which would inflame the conflict further. The choice of belligerent modus operandi will cause further degradation of the humanitarian crisis for hundreds of thousands of Congolese refugees in the eastern DRC.

In response to the M23 advances in a televised address, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of backing the M23 insurgency, which he defined as a “terrorist enterprise.”

The President said he had convened emergency meetings with the civil and military officials to assess the situation and plan counter-measures.

Earlier this week, on January 29, nearly 300 foreigners hired by the Democratic Republic of Congo government had surrendered to the UN, and pressure of the rebel group. Among them 288 EU citizens from Romania. Reportedly they were hired to improve the situation in Congo’s army, however were unable to block the M23 advances due to absence of relevant weapons.

After being cornered alongside with factions of Congo’s army and its allied militias, they surrendered themselves over to United Nations peacekeeping troops in hope to return home through Rwanda.