M23 remains deadliest armed group in eastern DRC, KST reports
In June, the M23 rebel group once again topped the list of deadliest armed factions operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the latest Kivu Security Tracker (KST) report. The monitoring group documented at least 114 civilian fatalities attributed to M23 during the month, marking the highest monthly death toll since December 2025 when the movement seized control of Uvira.
Surge in violence despite overall decline in security incidents
The report recorded a total of 247 security incidents across Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces in June, down 19% from May’s 305. However, this apparent reduction masks a dangerous shift in the pattern of violence. The M23 was responsible for 46 of the 115 armed clashes documented in June—nearly 40% of all recorded battles.
Targeted attacks and civilian casualties escalate in Masisi and Rutshuru
Investigations reveal that M23 offensives in Masisi and Rutshuru territories have intensified, with civilians accused of collaborating with rival groups such as the Wazalendo or the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) bearing the brunt of the violence. In a particularly brutal incident, at least 48 bodies were recovered from the village of Bibwe in Masisi territory following an M23 operation against FDLR forces. Eyewitness accounts indicate most victims died from artillery shelling.
The KST report also highlights 17 kidnappings attributed to M23 in June, further underscoring the group’s escalating campaign of intimidation and coercion against local communities.
Shifting dynamics in Ituri as CRP observes unilateral ceasefire
While M23’s activities surged in the Kivu provinces, the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CRP) in Ituri displayed a notable reduction in armed operations. This follows a unilateral ceasefire declared in May, coupled with ongoing negotiations with the Congolese government under Ugandan mediation. The lull in CRP activity offers a temporary respite in a region long plagued by intercommunal violence.
Meanwhile, the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (Codeco) has announced its transformation into a politico-military movement. This strategic shift is framed as an attempt to secure political recognition and stabilize internal divisions within the group.
ADF continues unabated campaign of terror in eastern DRC
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) remain a persistent threat to civilian safety, with the KST attributing at least 62 civilian deaths and 57 abductions to the group in June. Notably, ADF operations have expanded beyond traditional strongholds, reaching as far as Haut-Uele province—a worrisome development that signals the group’s growing operational reach.
The KST’s findings underscore the volatile security landscape in eastern DRC, where armed groups continue to inflict heavy human costs despite periodic lulls in fighting. The resurgence of M23 as the region’s deadliest faction serves as a grim reminder of the fragility of peace and the urgent need for sustained regional and international intervention.
