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Escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

TA-10-2025-0020 · P10_TA(2025)0020 · PE769.126

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Parliament condemns the occupation of Goma and other territories by M23 and Rwandan forces, urging Rwanda to withdraw and cease support for M23. It demands an immediate end to violence, humanitarian access, and accountability for war crimes, including sexual violence and child recruitment. It calls for suspending the EU-Rwanda raw materials agreement, freezing budget support and military assistance to Rwanda, and expanding sanctions. It supports peace efforts, including the Luanda and Nairobi processes, and calls for an international peace conference with private sector involvement.

Key points

  1. Condemns the occupation of Goma and other territories by M23 and the RDF as a breach of DRC sovereignty; urges Rwanda to withdraw troops and cease cooperation with M23.
  2. Condemns indiscriminate attacks, unlawful killings, rapes, forced labour, and recruitment by M23, RDF, and FARDC; demands accountability.
  3. Condemns sexual violence against women and girls and recruitment of child soldiers; demands international action and reiterates that attacks on UN forces may be war crimes.
  4. Calls for an immediate end to violence, investigation and prosecution of war crimes, including sexual violence, under command responsibility.
  5. Calls for reopening Goma airport, creating humanitarian corridors, and ensuring full humanitarian access for civilians.
  6. Emphasizes that humanitarian workers and medical facilities must be safe; holds Rwanda and neighbours responsible for facilitating access.
  7. Condemns attacks on diplomatic institutions and calls for protection of civilians and diplomatic staff.
  8. Calls on the Council to reassess the EU Great Lakes strategy and assist mediation efforts.
  9. Welcomes increased EU humanitarian support but calls for significantly more funding, given USAID termination.
  10. Regrets EU measures that failed to press Rwanda; urges suspension of the EU-Rwanda MoU on raw materials until Rwanda ceases interference and mineral exports.
  11. Calls for freezing direct budget support and military assistance to Rwanda, and for banning weapon transfers to Rwandan forces and M23.
  12. Urges expansion of sanctions against senior M23 commanders and officials from DRC and Rwanda, and supports an independent commission of inquiry.

Who is affected

  • Rwanda: must withdraw troops, cease support for M23, and face suspended agreements and frozen aid if not.
  • M23 and other armed groups: condemned for abuses; leaders targeted for sanctions.
  • DRC: called to investigate war crimes and reform security sector.
  • Humanitarian workers and civilians in eastern DRC: need safe access and protection.
  • EU institutions: must suspend MoU, freeze aid, and enforce sanctions.

Figures and deadlines

  • 3 000 deaths occurred during the offensive on Goma.
  • 800 000 internally displaced people were sheltering around Goma.
  • 500 000 people displaced since early January 2025.
  • One victim of rape every four minutes in the DRC.
  • Between 3 000 and 4 000 Rwandan troops operating with M23.
  • 120 tonnes of coltan moved by M23 to Rwanda each month.
  • EUR 288 000 per month generated by M23 from mineral trade.
  • EUR 260 million in EU funding to Rwanda between 2021 and 2024.