New fighting in South Kivu has erupted just days after the signing of the Washington Accords, with cross-border bombings, mass displacement, and renewed militia activity destabilizing the region and forcing more than 1,000 Congolese civilians to flee into Rwanda, stated the Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday December 9 2025.
According to a statement from Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, villages near the Rwandan border were bombed last week as part of coordinated operations involving the Congolese Army (FARDC), the Burundian Army (FDNB), and allied militias. The bombings reportedly targeted areas around Kamanyola, pushing civilians to seek refuge at the Nyarushishi Transit Camp in Southern Rwanda.
Burundian forces have reportedly deployed nearly 20,000 troops into South Kivu to support Congolese operations, including actions around Banyamulenge areas in Minembwe where villages are said to be under siege. The attacks are described as involving fighter jets, drones, foreign mercenaries, and armed groups such as the FDLR and Wazalendo.
The release highlights that DRC had openly rejected the ceasefire, pressing ahead with operations to reclaim territory from AFC/M23 even as the Washington peace ceremonies were taking place. This continued military push directly undercut the intent of the newly signed agreement, which was designed to pause hostilities and create space for negotiators to finalize the remaining annexes of the Doha Agreement. Diplomats involved in the process say this temporary truce was essential for stabilizing the situation and preventing further escalation.
The statement underscores that DRC has not fulfilled its obligation to dismantle the FDLR, a key requirement of the June 2025 Peace Agreement. This unresolved threat, it says, remains a major barrier to achieving long-term stability in Eastern Congo. The ministry adds that the latest surge in fighting shows the DRC was not genuinely ready to pursue peace, despite President Félix Tshisekedi’s appearance at the 4 December signing ceremony in Washington.
Rwanda has raised alarms over ongoing clashes and mass displacement in Eastern DRC, highlighting the severe risks these pose to local populations and the potential security threats to Rwanda’s western border. It emphasizes that fully reinstating the Washington Accords is urgent, describing it as the most practical and effective route to achieving lasting peace and stability across the Great Lakes region.
