The M23 is a Rwanda-backed armed group active in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, implicated in fighting, human rights abuses, and regional instability.
Aston Villa has announced Visit Rwanda as the front-of-shirt sponsor across men’s, women’s and academy teams in a multi-year agreement. Amnesty International UK has raised concerns about Rwanda’s human rights record and sportswashing, while DR Congo has accused Rwanda of backing rebel groups and military actions in eastern Congo.
The DR Congo government and M23 rebels have agreed on a roadmap for peace talks, backed by international mediators, to implement the Doha Framework. A ceasefire verification mission is set to monitor violations as fighting persists in North and South Kivu, with concerns over sanctions, detainees and political reforms.
The UN warns of rising conflict-related sexual violence across several crises. Bodies recount abuses, underreporting remains high, and survivors face persistent barriers while authorities struggle to protect rights and investigate abuses.
A fire at Furaha and Ujamaa schools in Bukavu, DR Congo, has killed at least 24 children with many more injured. The blaze destroyed roughly 300 homes in Kadutu; authorities say the cause remains unknown amid Congo’s security challenges and a new spike in Ebola cases.
Amnesty International has documented alleged abuses by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels at artisanal mines in North and South Kivu, including torture, killings, and forced labor. The report covers January 2025 to March 2026 and cites 26 interviewees across Rubaya and Lomera mines, with claims of smuggling minerals to Rwanda amid ongoing conflict.
Joseph Kabila has launched the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), uniting former AFC/M23 leaders with rebels to challenge President Tshisekedi’s government. The group vows to end tyranny “by all means, including the use of force,” amid ongoing fighting in eastern DR Congo and stalled peace talks.