2025 Butembo offensive

Butembo offensive
Part of the M23 campaign
Date 16 February - ongoing (4 days) Location North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo Status Ongoing M23 captures Mambasa and Ndoluma [1] [2]
Belligerents
Congo River Alliance March 23 Movement   Rwanda (Congolese claim)	DR Congo
Commanders and leaders
Corneille Nangaa [3] Sultani Makenga [4]	Félix Tshisekedi Somo Kakule Evariste [5] (Military-governor of North Kivu)
Units involved
M23 forces	FARDC

The 2025 Butembo offensive is an ongoing military operation conducted by March 23 Movement rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the goal of advancing towards and capturing the city of Butembo, 130 miles north of Goma. The military campaign followed the M23 capture of Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu, occurring concurrently with advances towards Uvira in the neighboring South Kivu province. ^[6]

References

1. "M23 Rebels Capture Ndoluma, Head to Kitsombiro".Taarifa. 2025-02-18. Retrieved 2025-02-20
2. "Africa File, February 20, 2025: M23 Advance Continues Unchallenged; SAF Grows Partnerships with Iran and Russia; RSF Creates Parallel Government in Sudan".ISW. 2025-02-20. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
3. Rolley, Sonia; Lewis, David (27 January 2025). "Congo's ex-election chief turned rebel boss builds insurgency". Reuters . Retrieved 27 January 2025.
4. "Sultani Makenga: The M23 leader whose career charts the turmoil in Rwanda and DR Congo". BBC News.
5. "Big Story: DRC Appoints Maj Gen Somo Kakule Evariste as Military Governor of North Kivu A". Chimp Reports. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
6. "Residents say Rwanda-backed rebels are advancing on a third city in eastern Congo". AP News. 2025-02-18. Retrieved 2025-02-19.