Goma: Hostilities flared up again in eastern Congo on Monday, breaking a fragile ceasefire, as confirmed by both the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army. The renewed clashes raise fresh doubts about whether the M23 will halt its campaign following the withdrawal of Rwandan forces.

The M23, a Tutsi-led insurgent group, reignited its rebellion in the region in 2022. Both Congo and the United Nations have accused Rwanda of providing military support to the group, a claim Rwanda firmly denies. However, a July report by U.N. experts estimated that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan government troops are active in eastern Congo, operating in coordination with the M23.

On November 25, Congolese and Rwandan foreign ministers reached an agreement outlining the withdrawal terms for Rwandan forces. Despite this, M23 acknowledged on Tuesday that fighting had resumed, echoing a similar statement from the Congolese army the day prior.

The presidents of Congo and Rwanda are scheduled to hold a meeting on December 15, according to Angola’s state media, which has been mediating the conflict. This would mark their first official dialogue since 2023.

In a November 30 statement, M23 claimed they were adhering to the ceasefire established in March 2023, even though they are not involved in the ongoing talks between the two nations. Earlier in November, the United States expressed "grave concern" over ceasefire breaches in eastern Congo by M23 rebels.