January 27, 2026 marks one year since the AFC/M23 movement captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province in eastern DR Congo. Over the course of 12 months, several events have happened in the conflict that has its roots more than three decades ago. Following the fall of Goma, the rebels presented hundreds of European mercenaries who had been fighting alongside the Congolese armed forces (FARDC). The alliance, led by former Congolese election chief Corneille Nanga as political coordinator and Gen Sultani Makenga as its military coordinator, later advanced southwards, capturing Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province, on February 16. AFC/M23 also handed over to Rwanda several members of the FDLR genocidal group who had been captured while fighting alongside the FARDC and its allies, who include the Wazalendo militia and Burundian and SADC troops. The rebels also facilitated the repatriation of SADC troops, who were stranded in Goma and other areas after suffering defeat. AFC/M23 allowed these forces to withdraw and transit through Rwanda on their return home to South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania. With Goma and Bukavu under AFC/M23 control, the first direct peace talks between the rebels and the Congolese government were initiated in Doha, Qatar, on April 18. The Qatar-mediated talks have led to a number of agreements, including the July 19 Declaration of Principles. The year also saw the Rwandan and Congolese governments hold historic negotiations aimed at restoring peace in eastern DR Congo and the region by addressing the root causes of the conflict, such as the existence of the FDLR. Under mediation by the United States government, Rwanda and DR Congo reached key milestones, including the signing of the Washington Accords by Presidents Paul Kagame and Felix Tshisekedi on December 4. Despite ceasefire agreements, however, on the ground, hostilities continued, with the rebels accusing Kinshasa of multiple violations. On December 10, the AFC/M23 announced captured the city of Uvira, located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The fall of Uvira followed days of heavy fighting from Kamanyola border town through the small towns of Luvungi, Sange and Kiliba. The rebels announced their withdrawal from Uvira on December 15, and completed it on January 17.
