WHAT ARE UN PEACEKEEPERS AND OTHER FORCES DOING?
UN peacekeepers in North Kivu have been supporting the Congolese army’s efforts to curb the M23 as part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (MONUSCO) years-old mandate to counter the many rebel groups active in eastern Congo.
An agreed withdrawal of the mission from Congo was paused last year because of the deteriorating security situation. As of December, there were nearly 11,000 peacekeepers on the ground, mostly in the east.
Since the fall of Goma, the mission has evacuated some of its staff and families. Its base has received a large number of people seeking refuge, including government and army officials and various elements including the pro-government Wazalendo militia fighters who have surrendered their arms.
The 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC), which extended its military mission in Congo late last year to help the Congolese army fight the rebels, remains in place, but has suffered losses since the start of 2025.
Private military contractors who were hired by the Congolese government to help in the fight against M23 and to train troops have also surrendered.
Burundian troops have been helping Congo fight the M23. Burundi’s government has sent thousands of soldiers, who are now concentrated in South Kivu. They were among the forces defending the Kavumu airport before it fell.
