Date: 14/03/2025
Location: Goma, North Kivu Province, DRC; Nyabibwe, South Kivu Province, DRC; Kalehe, South Kivu Province, DRC; Bukavu, South Kivu Province, DRC. Kinshasa, Kinshasa Province, DRC. Bunia, Ituri, DRC.
Ground Security:
For those in North and South Kivu, as well as Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), exercise extreme caution and leave the country as soon as possible. If leaving is not an option, stay indoors as much as possible and closely monitor local media for updates. A ceasefire may or may not be declared next week following talks between M23 and the DRC, but do not take any announcement at face value—especially unilateral ones. If a ceasefire is declared, remain vigilant and continue monitoring the situation. Note: The Dutch embassy in Kinshasa is temporarily closed to the public. If in need of help, contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at +31 247 247 247.
Airport/Overflight Security:
Goma International Airport (GOM/FZNA) and Bukavu Kuvumu Airport (BKY/FZMA) have been seized by M23, rendering Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Airfield Services unavailable. It is NOT possible to land/takeoff or divert to Goma International Airport. The airport and runways were damaged during the fighting. Avoid landing in Goma Airport and Bukavu Kavumu Airport, even in emergencies.
There are two NOTAMS issued related to FIR KINSHASA (FZZA):
United Kingdom: it is recommended not to enter FIR KINSHASA (FZZA) within 100 NM of the eastern boundary, between the 1st parallel north and the 2nd parallel south, below FL250.
Canada: it is recommended not to enter FIR KINSHASA (FZZA) below FL260.
This means that overflying traffic at higher altitudes is generally not at risk under normal operations. However, those descending or diverting below FL260 within FIR KINSHASA face significant exposure to small-arms fire and MANPADS. Therefore, it is recommended to take precautionary measures by planning the route, avoiding alternate airports in the DRC in case of an emergency, and maintaining an altitude above FL260 in FIR KINSHASA (FZZA).
On 11/02/2025, the DRC prohibited any aircraft registered in Rwanda from overflying, landing or otherwise utilising Congolese airspace.
What happened:
On 28/01/2025, the March 23 Movement (Mouvement du 23 Mars, hereafter M23) fighters captured the eastern city of Goma, North Kivu Province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking a significant escalation of the decades-long conflict which reignited in 2022.
On 04/02/2025, Uganda sent soldiers to the DRC north of Goma. Uganda has deployed an estimated 4,000–5,000 troops in eastern DRC, primarily to combat the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist militant group, rather than solely engaging M23. The UN has earlier accused Rwanda of supporting M23.
On 17/02/2025 Eastern Congo’s second largest city, Bukavu, fell to M23. They also gained control over Kavumu Airport in the north of the city.
On 08/03/2025, Group Kabido, an armed group previously allied with the DRC government, announced its alignment with M23. This appears to be part of a broader pattern: several other armed groups, including the 2,000-strong Force des Patriotes pour la Paix/Armée du Peuple (FPP-AP), abandoned their support for Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo (hereafter FARDC) and joined M23.
In March, M23’s advance continued in all directions. On 09/03/2025 M23 captured Nyabyiondo, and began advancing toward the strategically located town of Walikale, which contains an important industrial tin mine (Alphamin) crucial to DRC government finances.
On 09/03/2025, the DRC government offered a $5 million bounty for assistance in arresting one of the M23 leaders, Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa and Sultani Makenga. All three leaders had been tried in absentia and sentenced to death in August 2024.
On 10/03/2025, Reports emerged that the US and DRC were in talks for a potential deal: DRC would provide the US with access to minerals and strategic benefits in Africa, while the US would help the FARDC combat M23.
On 11/03/2025, Angolan President João Lourenço announced that peace talks will begin next week in Luanda. This marks a historic shift, as the DRC government had previously refused direct negotiations with M23, labeling it a terrorist group, and instead sought talks with Rwanda, which consistently declined.
On 12/03/2025, M23 captured Idjwi Island, the largest island in Lake Kivu bordering Rwanda.
On 12/03/2025, FARDC raided Nangaa's family home in Isiro as part of a broader crackdown amid the ongoing M23 conflict.
On 13/03/2025: The South African Development Community Mission to the Congo, mainly consisting of soldiers from South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania, announced a decision for a "phased withdrawal" from the DRC after suffering heavy losses, including at least 19 casualties and reportedly hundreds wounded. The mission had been present in the DRC since December 2023.
On 18/03/2025, direct peace talks between M23 and the DRC scheduled to begin in Luanda, Angola.