M23 Rebels Build 30,000-Strong Force as 18,000 Rwandan Troops Back Eastern DRC Hold
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 30
M23 Rebels Build 30,000-Strong Force as 18,000 Rwandan Troops Back Eastern DRC Hold
2 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 30
Summary
UN experts said Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have expanded to about 30,000 fighters and are tightening control over large parts of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
As many as 18,000 Rwandan soldiers are supporting the rebels, according to the UN report released Monday, underscoring Kigali's role in sustaining M23's battlefield position.
The findings point to continued military consolidation despite a US-backed peace deal signed in Washington by Rwanda and the DRC that was intended to help end the conflict.
US sanctions target Rwandan gold smuggling, but can they truly sever the financial lifeline of the M23 rebels?
With a US-brokered peace deal in tatters, what will it take to halt Rwanda's alleged war crimes in Congo?
M23 and Rwanda in Eastern DRC: Conflict Dynamics, Humanitarian Toll, and Prospects for Peace (2026)
Overview
As of June 2026, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo faces ongoing conflict and instability. M23 rebels, after previously seizing the key town of Uvira, have withdrawn, allowing government control to return and peace talks to resume. However, the absence of a formal ceasefire means security issues remain, with M23 preparing for new offensives. Recent clashes with pro-government Wazalendo fighters highlight the fragile situation. This cycle of territorial shifts, stalled negotiations, and persistent violence underscores the region’s volatility and the challenges to achieving lasting peace and stability.