A fragile peace agreement for the Democratic Republic of Congo, signed with international fanfare in Washington, has been shattered within a single day. Fresh outbreaks of intense fighting in the volatile east of the country have sent thousands of terrified civilians fleeing for their lives, casting grave doubt on the viability of the diplomatic initiative.
A Deal Broken in Hours
The truce, brokered by the United States, was signed on Wednesday, 4 December 2025. It aimed to halt years of brutal conflict between Congolese government forces and the notorious M23 rebel group. However, by Thursday afternoon, the sound of heavy weapons had replaced promises of peace around the strategic town of Kanyabayonga in North Kivu province.
Local sources and civil society groups reported that M23 fighters launched a major assault, attacking positions held by the Congolese army (FARDC) and their allied militias. The violence prompted a panicked exodus, with columns of people seen trudging along roads away from the fighting, carrying whatever belongings they could salvage.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolds
The immediate consequence of the renewed combat is a severe deepening of the humanitarian emergency. Thousands of displaced families are now seeking refuge in already overcrowded camps or sleeping in the open, with access to food, water, and medical care severely limited.
One aid worker on the ground described scenes of chaos and despair, noting that many of those fleeing had only recently returned to their homes after previous bouts of violence. The collapse of the deal so swiftly has devastated community morale and undermined trust in the peace process.
The town of Kanyabayonga is a critical logistical hub, and its capture by M23 would be a significant strategic blow, potentially cutting off supply routes and isolating other major population centres. This military calculus appears to have overridden the temporary diplomatic ceasefire.
International Reaction and Next Steps
The rapid unravelling of the Washington agreement represents a significant setback for international mediators, particularly the United States. It raises urgent questions about the leverage held over the warring parties and the mechanisms for enforcing such deals.
Regional bodies like the African Union and the East African Community, which have troops deployed in the region, now face increased pressure to intervene more decisively. Meanwhile, the United Nations mission in Congo (MONUSCO), which is in the process of withdrawing, may face calls to reassess its timeline.
The fundamental issues driving the conflict—competition over vast mineral resources, ethnic tensions, and regional rivalries—remain wholly unaddressed. Without a process that tackles these root causes, analysts warn that paper agreements will continue to fail, and the cycle of violence and displacement will persist, affecting millions of innocent Congolese civilians.
