The military of DR Congo urges composure as the conflict gains momentum

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) army urged people to maintain their composure Tuesday despite recent gains by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels in the province of North Kivu in the east.

Battles against the M23 are still going on on all fronts, including the Lubero area, the Nyiragongo region, and the Sake heights, all of which are in North Kivu, according to a statement released by army spokesperson General Sylvain Ekenge.

“All measures are being taken to block the aggressor and restore peace in the eastern part of our country,” stated the statement.

Conflicts between several armed groups, most notably the M23 and the Allied Democratic Forces, have escalated, indicating a serious worsening of the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

With almost 7 million people displaced, the region’s humanitarian situation has gotten worse due to the continuous fighting. Since early 2025, the United Nations estimates that some 237,000 people have been displaced from their homes.