A year of struggle in South Kivu

Over the past year, the security and humanitarian situation in South Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has deteriorated dramatically. While high-level diplomatic efforts most recently a US-brokered agreement between the DRC and Rwanda signed in Washington have sought to de-escalate tensions, everyday reality for civilians tells a different story. Violence, displacement, and fear continue to shape daily life, raising serious questions about peace processes that remain disconnected from realities on the ground. The Washington agreement reflects a long-standing limitation of international diplomacy in eastern Congo: the tendency to frame the conflict as a bilateral dispute between states. In reality, the violence in eastern DRC is driven by a complex web of actors, including armed groups, proxy forces, local militias, state actors driven by national and regional interests. Diplomatic initiatives that exclude these dominant actors or fail to establish credible mechanisms for accountability struggle to produce tangible results.

The Washington peace process fails to involve all key actors and has so far made no provisions for an effective mechanism to supervise the cease-fire. At the same time there seems to be no deterrent measures in place against violators of the cease-fire, and despite positive announcements by the facilitators, none of the warring parties involved is motivated to respect the agreements. 

This challenge is not new. Regional initiatives such as the Luanda and Nairobi processes, as well as the presence of the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, have all sought to stabilize the region. Yet these efforts often operate in parallel rather than as part of a coordinated strategy, leaving civilians caught between announcements of peace and the persistence of insecurity.

Furthermore, the Washington peace process is ongoing, and while a framework that will eventually lead to a comprehensive peace treaty has been signed, in fact only two out of eight protocols have been agreed upon. The remaining six are the subject of on-going talks and negotiations. Only until all the protocols are signed, and with clear and legally enforceable obligations and timelines, will we have a comprehensive peace agreement.

“When people speak about peace agreements, they often forget how conflict feels in everyday life. For many families in South Kivu, peace means not knowing whether you will sleep in your own home tonight, whether your children will go to school tomorrow, or whether violence will return without warning.” Salima Kabasha Dorca.

In February 2025, renewed fighting involving the M23 armed group led to a rapid deterioration of the situation in South Kivu. M23 fighters entered Bukavu, the provincial capital, and several surrounding villages. This sudden escalation disrupted everyday life and triggered large-scale displacement. Tens of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes. Some crossed into neighboring Rwanda, while many others sought safety within South Kivu, particularly in Uvira and parts of Fizi Territory, which remained under government control. Uvira, already facing limited infrastructure and services, received a large influx of internally displaced people within a short period of time. Families found shelter with host communities, in churches, schools, or temporary structures, often without sufficient access to food, clean water, healthcare, or education.

In December 2025, renewed advances by M23 saw them occupy Uvira and surrounding areas, causing fresh displacement and deepening fear among civilians. Although the group withdrew in January 2026 following strong international diplomatic pressure, the humanitarian situation remains fragile. Many families are still displaced, livelihoods have been disrupted, and children’s education has been interrupted. Many civilians fled into Burundi and are living in deplorable conditions in Burundian refugee camps. Cross-border activities and trade between Uvira and Bujumbura have ceased as the border remains closed.

“During periods of intense insecurity, our work did not stop, it changed. We reduced movements, adapted activities, and focused on mediation and social cohesion, because withdrawing completely would have left communities even more vulnerable.” Salima Kabasha Dorcas.

In this difficult context, local civil society organizations have played a vital role. When violence escalated and displacement increased, local actors were often the first and sometimes the only ones able to respond. Their work has focused on protecting civilians, supporting social cohesion, and preventing further violence at community level.

The EIRENE partner organization Femmes Artisanes de la Paix (FAP), has been at the heart of this response, despite operating under severe security constraints. As displacement increased, particularly in and around Uvira, FAP adapted its activities to ensure the security of its staff and that of the community peace structures while continuing to support affected communities. 

FAP has placed strong emphasis on maintaining social cohesion and preventing local conflicts. Through dialogue facilitation, mediation, radiophonic theater and the engagement of women peacebuilders and youth volunteers, the organization has helped reduce tensions linked to displacement, access to shelter, and humanitarian aid distribution. Special attention has been given to women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by insecurity and displacement.

By Michael Odhiambo, EIRENE peace worker and Malumbe M'mangwa Maluxe from FAP