Kivu conflict

The Kivu conflict is a protracted series of armed conflicts in North and South Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, involving state forces and numerous armed groups.

First Congo War: A 1996–1997 war that toppled Zaire’s government and brought Laurent-Désiré Kabila to power. Its collapse of state authority and armed coalitions reshaped eastern Congo before later Kivu wars.
M23 rebellion: An armed rebellion in eastern Congo led by the March 23 Movement, most active from 2012 and again from 2021. M23’s successive offensives are among the conflict’s most visible recent phases.
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: The national military of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its operations and shifting alliances with local forces shape front lines and civilian security.
Internal displacement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: The forced movement of people within the Democratic Republic of the Congo because of violence, disaster, or other threats. Kivu fighting has repeatedly uprooted civilians and strained host communities and aid systems.
Sun City Agreement: A 2002 agreement that established a transitional power-sharing framework to end the Second Congo War. It helped end a national war but did not resolve the local conflicts continuing in the Kivus.
Second Congo War: A 1998–2003 regional war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo involving several neighboring states and Congolese factions. Its armies and proxy forces helped establish the regional dynamics behind recurring Kivu fighting.
Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda: An armed group in eastern Congo, largely composed of Rwandan Hutu fighters, founded in 2000. The group’s presence has been a longstanding security concern for Rwanda and Congolese authorities.
Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration: Processes for collecting weapons, disbanding armed groups, and supporting former combatants’ return to civilian life. Repeated efforts to demobilize fighters have struggled against insecurity and renewed recruitment.
Sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Sexual violence committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including abuses associated with armed conflict. Conflict-related sexual violence has caused severe harm and lasting barriers to care and justice.
Goma Agreement: A 2008 peace agreement between the Congolese government and several armed groups in North and South Kivu. Its limited implementation illustrates why negotiated commitments often failed to stop fighting.

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