After more than two decades of international peacekeeping efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the United Nations mission known as MONUSCO is preparing for a full withdrawal. But in the countries troubled east, particularly in North Kivu, a new actor has emerged as a central force in restoring order: the M23 Movement.
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Formed in 2012 and now politically aligned under the banner of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), the M23 positions itself not as a rebel group, but as a national movement advocating for the rights of marginalized communities and meaningful reform in the DRC. Recent developments suggest that this once-misunderstood movement may now be achieving what international efforts have struggled to deliver: security, administrative order, and relative peace.
Originally launched in 1999 as MONUC and renamed MONUSCO in 2010, the UN mission was tasked with protecting civilians, supporting democratic processes, and stabilizing the region. Despite billions in funding and a peak deployment of over 20,000 personnel, many Congolese, particularly from the Tutsi community, have long accused MONUSCO of failing to prevent ethnic violence and militia rule.
Nowhere has this frustration been more acute than in North Kivu, where local population say the mission either stood by or allied with local militias accused of serious abuses. MONUSCO is currently in the process of scaling down, with a full exit planned for December 2024.
As MONUSCO pulls back, the M23 Movement has taken control of several territories in eastern Congo, including areas surrounding the strategic city of Goma. Far from descending into lawlessness, these regions have reportedly seen improved security conditions, functioning local markets, and the return of displaced residents.
Recent developments have drawn international attention. Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of MONUSCO, recently met with M23 leadership in one of the territories now under their administration , a meeting held in a city notably free of armed militias. The encounter marks a significant shift in posture from the UN, which previously dismissed M23 as part of the problem in the region.
The M23 Movement has consistently framed itself as a force for reform and national unity, advocating for the protection of minority groups and an inclusive political dialogue. While critics have questioned the group’s legitimacy and raised concerns about past human rights violations, the situation on the ground is increasingly challenging long-held assumptions.
In contrast to the paralysis of previous international efforts, M23-aligned administrations have established basic services and security mechanisms in newly controlled areas. For many residents, the daily reality under M23 governance is one of order, not fear.
“We are not saying the M23 is perfect,” said a community leader in Rutshuru, speaking on condition of anonymity. “But when you compare their presence to the chaos that came before, there is a real sense of relief.”
Despite ongoing resistance from Kinshasa, the international diplomatic landscape appears to be evolving. MONUSCO’s engagement with M23 leaders signals a growing recognition that the movement is now a key stakeholder in the peace and stabilization of eastern Congo.
With the exit of MONUSCO on the horizon and the state’s presence in many areas weakened, the M23 Movement’s actions are reshaping the regional narrative. Once dismissed as a destabilizing element, the movement is now positioning itself, and increasingly being viewed, as a viable force for peace, security, and political dialogue.
