2025 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Decades:	2000s 2010s 2020s
See also:	Other events of 2025 History of the DRC

Events of the year 2025 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo .

Incumbents

• President: Félix Tshisekedi
• Prime Minister: Judith Suminwa

Events

Ongoing

• M23 offensive (2022–present)
  • 2025 Goma offensive
• Democratic Republic of the Congo–Rwanda tensions (2022–present)
• 2025 Kinshasa riots
• Allied Democratic Forces insurgency
• Ituri conflict

January

• 5 January – M23 rebels seize the town of Masisi, North Kivu. ^[1]
• 9 January – The government bans Al Jazeera from operating in the country after the network airs an interview with M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa the previous day. ^[2]
• 15 January – At least ten people are killed in an attack by the Allied Democratic Forces on the village of Makoko in Lubero Territory, North Kivu. ^[3]
• 21 January – M23 rebels seize the towns of Minova, Lumbishi, Numbi and Shanje in South Kivu, as well as Bweremana in North Kivu. ^[4]
• 23 January – Major General Peter Cirimwami, the military governor of North Kivu, is killed in action during clashes with M23. ^[5]
• 25 January – The DRC cuts diplomatic relations with Rwanda and orders its diplomatic personnel to leave the country amid accusations by Kinshasa of Rwandan support for the M23 offensive. ^[6]
• 27 January – 2025 Goma offensive : M23 claims that it had taken Goma, the capital of North Kivu. ^{[7] [8]}
• 28 January – 2025 Kinshasa riots : The French embassy in Kinshasa is set on fire by protesters demonstrating against the conflict in the eastern DRC. The Rwandan, French, Belgian and US embassies are also attacked. ^[9]
• 29 January – M23 launches an offensive into South Kivu, taking the districts of Kanyezire and Mukwija. ^[10]

February

• 4 February – A humanitarian ceasefire is declared by the antigovernment Congo River Alliance, which includes M23. ^[11]
• 5 February – M23 seizes the city of Nyabibwe in South Kivu despite declaring a ceasefire. ^[12]
• 10 February – At least 55 people are killed in an attack by CODECO militants in the Djaiba area of Ituri. ^[13]
• 12 February – Kasanga massacre : The Allied Democratic Forces kill 70 Christians inside a church in Lubero Territory. ^[14]
• 14 February – 2025 Bukavu offensive : M23 claims to have seized Kavumu Airport ^[15] and are confirmed to have entered Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu. ^[16]
• 17 February – The Ugandan military enters Bunia, the capital of Ituri, to augment the Congolese military. ^[17]
• 19 February – A boat carrying refugees from the M23 offensive capsizes in Lake Edward, killing 22 passengers. ^[18]
• 20 February – The United States imposes sanctions on Rwandan minister for regional integration James Kabarebe and M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston for their roles in the M23 offensive. ^[19]
• 24 February – At least 53 people are reported to have died in an outbreak of an unidentified disease that began on 21 January in Boloko, with 419 cases recorded. ^[20] Authorities subsequently identify that outbreak as being caused by malaria. ^[21]
• 27 February – Twelve people are killed following explosions at an M23 rally in Bukavu. ^{[22] [23]}

March

• 8 March – Nine people are killed in an attack by ADF militants on the village of Ngohi Vuyinga in Lubero Territory, North Kivu. ^[24]
• 9 March – A boat capsizes along the Kwa River in Mushie, killing 25 people. ^[25]
• 10 March - The DRC's military prosecutor questions Joseph Kabila’s party officials amid rising tensions over M23 rebels, as President Tshisekedi accuses Kabila of sponsoring them. ^[26]
• 13 March – South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi announce the withdrawal of their military contingents from the Southern African Development Community peacekeeping mission to the eastern DRC. ^[27]
• 19 March – M23 rebels take the mining town of Walikale in North Kivu. ^[28]
• 28 March – M23 announces a ceasefire with the SADC peacekeeping mission to facilitate the latter's withdrawal from the DRC. ^[29]

April

• 4 April –
  • M23 rebels withdraw from Walikale as part of what it calls a goodwill gesture ahead of peace negotiations with the government mediated by Qatar. ^[30]
  • At least 33 people are killed following floods caused by heavy rain in Kinshasa. ^{[31] [32]}
• 7 April – M23 officials participate in the opening ceremony of the Caisse Générale d'Épargne du Congo (CADECO) in Goma. ^[33]
• 9 April – Three American nationals convicted for participating in the 2024 Democratic Republic of the Congo coup attempt are repatriated to the United States after their death sentences are commuted to life imprisonment by President Tshisekedi on 1 April. ^[34]
• 11 April – Forty-one captives held by the ADF are rescued in a joint operation by DRC and Ugandan soldiers in North Kivu. ^[35]
• 12 April – At least 50 people are reported killed in clashes between the DRC military and M23 in the Goma area. ^[36]
• 15 April – A boat catches fire and capsizes along the Congo River near Mbandaka, killing at least 33 people. ^[37]
• 19 April – The government suspends the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy of former president Joseph Kabila, citing his "overt" activism following his visit to M23-occupied Goma. ^[38]
• 23 April – Ten people are killed in a collapse at the Luhihi mine in Kabare Territory, South Kivu. ^[39]

May

• 9 May – At least 62 people are killed following floods caused by heavy rain along Lake Tanganyika in South Kivu. ^[40]
• 20 May – The Constitutional Court sentences former prime minister Matata Ponyo Mapon to 10 years of forced labor for the embezzlement of more than $245 million intended for the Bukangalonzo agro-industrial park project. ^[41]
• 22 May – The Senate votes in favour of lifting the parliamentary immunity of Joseph Kabila over his involvement with the M23 Movement. ^[42]

June

• 3 June – The DRC is elected to a rotating seat at the United Nations Security Council for the third time. ^[43]
• 11 June – A boat sinks along Lake Tumba in Bikoro Territory, Équateur Province, killing 30 passengers. ^[44]
• 13 June – At least 45 people are killed following severe flooding in Kinshasa. ^{[45] [46]}
• 15 June – Customs official Floribèrt Bwana Chui Bin Kositi, who was killed in 2007 for blocking the entry of spoiled rice that was to be fed to refugees in Goma, is beatified by the Roman Catholic Church. ^[47]
• 18 June – Constant Mutamba resigns as justice minister amid allegations that he had embezzled $19 million in funds meant to build a prison in Kisangani. ^[48]
• 19 June – A collapse at an artisanal coltan mine near Rubaya in North Kivu province kills at least 12 people. ^[49]
• 23 June – An FARDC soldier opens fire on fellow soldiers during a pay dispute in Mungazi, North Kivu, killing three and injuring eight. ^[50]
• 27 June –
  • The DRC and Rwanda sign a peace agreement to end the Kivu conflict following negotiations mediated by the United States. ^[51]
  • Eleven people are killed in an attack by CODECO militants on a displaced persons camp in Djangi, Ituri. ^[52]

July

• 12 July –
  • Uganda reopens its border with the DRC following a six-month closure caused by the 2025 Goma offensive. ^[53]
  • Sixty-six civilians are killed in an attack by ADF militants in Irumu Territory, Ituri. ^[54]
• 17 July – The government signs an investment agreement with KoBold Metals valued at more than $1 billion dollars to develop the country's mining reserves, particularly the Manono-Kitolo mine. ^[55]
• 19 July – The government and M23 sign a ceasefire agreement in Qatar. ^[56]
• 20 July –
  • At least 12 miners are rescued while several others are reported missing following the collapse of the Lomera golf mine in South Kivu. ^[57]
  • A Congolese diplomat stationed in Belgium is arrested on suspicion of smuggling cocaine in Bulgaria. ^[58]
• 25 July – Two Mai-Mai militias clash over the control of agricultural routes in the Babila-Babombi chiefdom in Mambasa Territory, causing several villagers to flee. ^[59]
• 27 July – At least 43 people are killed in an attack by ADF militants on a church in Komanda, Ituri. ^[60]

August

• 1 August – An agreement is signed in Ethiopia for the African Union to take over all peacekeeping operations in the eastern DRC. ^[61]
• 7 August – The government implements a cabinet reshuffle. ^[62]
• 12 August – The United States imposes sanctions on the rebel group PARECO for abuses committed at the Rubaya mines in North Kivu. It also sanctions the Congolese mining firm CDMC and the Hong Kong-based exports East Rise and Star Dragon for illegal transactions involving resources extracted from the mines. ^[63]
• 15 August –
  • Kenya appoints a consul-general for the M-23 held city of Goma, prompting criticism from the government in Kinshasa. ^[64]
  • At least 30 people are killed following attacks by suspected ADF militants on the village of Bapere in North Kivu. ^[65]
• 16 August – An Antonov An-2 aircraft operated by Air Kasaï crashes near Kisangani, killing all seven people onboard. ^[66]
• 17 August – At least nine people are killed following an ADF attack on Oicha in North Kivu. ^[67]

September

• 2 September – The Court of Cassation sentences former justice minister Constant Mutamba to three years' forced labor for embezzling $19 million in public funds meant for the construction of a prison in Kisangani. ^[68]
• 4 September – The Ministry of Public Health declares an outbreak of ebola in Kasai Province, with a total of 28 suspected cases, one confirmed case in Boulape, and 15 deaths. ^[69]
• 7 September – M23 retakes the town of Shoa in North Kivu, a day after it was taken by the FARDC and Wazalendo militias. ^[70]
• 8 September –
  • At least 71 people are killed in an ADF attack on the village of Nyoto in Lubero Territory, North Kivu. ^{[71] [72]}
  • At least three people are killed after the FARDC opens fire on protesters demonstrating against a local FARDC commander in Uvira, South Kivu. ^[73]
• 9 September – At least 18 people are killed in an ADF attack in Beni, North Kivu. ^[72]
• 10 September – A boat capsizes in Basankusu Territory, Équateur Province, killing at least 86 people. ^[74]
• 11 September – A boat catches fire and capsizes along the Congo River near Malange in Lukolela Territory, Équateur Province, killing 107 people. ^[75]

Holidays

Further information: Public holidays in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Source: ^[76]

• 1 January – New Year's Day
• 4 January – Martyrs' Day
• 16 January – Laurent-Désiré Kabila Assassination
• 17 January – Patrice Lumumba Assassination
• 1 May – Labour Day
• 17 May – Liberation Day
• 30 June – Independence Day
• 1 August – Parents' Day
• 17 November – Army Day
• 25 December – Christmas Day

See also

• 2025 Democratic Republic of the Congo attacks
• List of massacres in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Attacks on humanitarian workers

References

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2. "Congo bans Al Jazeera over its interview with a key rebel leader and threatens journalists". AP News. 10 January 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
3. "Islamic State-linked rebels kill at least 10 people in eastern Congo". AP News. 16 January 2025. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
4. "M23 rebels in eastern Congo seize a town on a key supply route to the provincial capital". AP News. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
5. "Military governor of DRC's North Kivu province killed in M23 rebel assault". Al Jazeera. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
6. "Congo severs ties with Rwanda as rebels close in on Goma, displacing thousands". AP News. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
7. "Rebels say they have taken key DR Congo city". BBC. 27 January 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
8. Mureithi, Carlos (2025-03-10). "Mass prison escapes stoke panic in DRC after rebel advance". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-03-11.
9. "French FM condemns 'unacceptable' attack on embassy in DR Congo". France 24. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
10. "Rwanda-backed M23 Fighters Advance Into DR Congo's South Kivu: Local Sources". Barron's. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
11. "Rebels declare ceasefire in DR Congo for 'humanitarian reasons'". BBC. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
12. "Rwandan-backed rebels have seized another city in eastern Congo". AP News. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
13. "At least 55 civilians killed by militia fighters in northeastern Congo". Africanews. 11 February 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
14. "70 Christians murdered in DRC". Open Doors. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
15. "Rwanda-backed rebels claim to have seized a second airport in east Congo". AP News. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
16. "DR Congo M23 rebels enter city of Bukavu". BBC. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
17. "Ugandan forces enter eastern Congolese city of Bunia to back up local troops". AP News. 18 February 2025. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
18. "Boat fleeing rebel offensive capsizes in Congo, killing 22". AP News. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
19. "The US sanctions a Rwanda official and a rebel spokesperson over violence in eastern Congo". AP News. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
20. "An unknown illness kills over 50 people in part of Congo with hours between symptoms and death". AP News. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
21. "Malaria confirmed as cause of deadly outbreak in DRC". Africanews. 25 March 2025.
22. "At least 11 dead and 65 injured in Congo after blasts at M23 rebel leaders' rally, rebels say". AP News. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
23. Miridzhanian, Anait (4 March 2025). MacSwan, Angus (ed.). "Newly appointed rebel authorities in eastern Congo bury blast victims". Reuters. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
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26. "Congo ex-president Kabila's allies questioned by military prosecutor". Reuters. 10 March 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
27. Mutsaka, Farai (13 March 2025). "South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi will withdraw troops from conflict-torn eastern Congo". AP News. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
28. "M23 rebels capture Walikale, another key town in eastern DR Congo". Al Jazeera. 20 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
29. "Rebels agree to a ceasefire with African coalition troops departing from eastern Congo". AP News. 29 March 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
30. "M23 rebels withdraw from strategic DRC town ahead of landmark Doha peace talks". Africanews. 4 April 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
31. "Death toll from flooding in Congo's capital reaches 33 as officials race to support victims". AP News. 7 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
32. "Heavy floods in DR Congo's Kinshasa leave dozens dead, destroy homes". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
33. Nichols, Michelle (2025-07-02). "Exclusive: Rwanda exercises command and control over M23 rebels, say UN experts". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
34. "Three Americans jailed over failed DR Congo coup returned home". BBC. 9 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
35. "Congolese forces rescue at least 40 hostages abducted by Islamic State-linked rebels". AP News. 12 April 2025. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
36. "Dozens are reported killed in east Congo as the government and Rwanda-backed rebels trade blame". AP News. 13 April 2025. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
37. "DR Congo boat fire toll revised down to 33". RFI. 19 April 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
38. "Congo suspends Kabila's political party over rebel 'ties'". Africanews . 20 April 2025.
39. "Mine collapse in eastern Congo kills at least 10, rebel-appointed authorities say". AP News. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
40. "Flooding in eastern Congo kills 62 people with 50 missing". AP News. 11 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
41. "RDC: condamnation de l'opposant et ancien Premier ministre Matata Ponyo à 10 ans de travaux forcés". Radio France International. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
42. "Senators approve Kabila immunity lift". Africanews. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
43. "Five countries win seats on the UN Security Council". AP News. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
44. "30 killed in a boat sinking in northwestern Congo, residents say". AP News. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
45. "Heavy rains flood Congo's capital, killing at least 19 people". AP News. 14 June 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
46. "Death toll rises in Congo Lake Tumba accident as search for survivors goes on". Reuters. 2025-06-16. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
47. "A Congolese customs worker who resisted corruption is beatified by the Vatican". AP News. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
48. "Congo's justice minister resigns following allegations of embezzling $19 million". AP News. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
49. "Collapse at coltan mine in eastern Congo kills 12, sources say". Reuters. 2025-06-20. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
50. "Congolese soldier kills 3 colleagues during altercation in the conflict-hit east". AP News. 2025-06-24. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
51. "Congo and Rwanda sign a US-mediated peace deal aimed at ending decades of bloody conflict". AP News. 2025-06-28. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
52. "Militiamen attack a camp for the displaced and kill 11 in northeastern Congo". AP News. 2025-06-28. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
53. "Uganda reopens border with M23-held eastern DRC". Africanews. 12 July 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
54. "Islamic State-aligned rebels kill 66 civilians in eastern Congo attack". Associated Press. 12 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
55. "DRC signs major mining deal with U.S.-backed KoBold Metals". Africanews. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
56. "Hope for peace as DR Congo and M23 rebels sign deal in Qatar". BBC. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
57. "12 rescued from collapsed gold mine in Congo and an unknown number of miners remain trapped". AP News. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
58. "Bulgarian authorities seize a large amount of cocaine hidden in a van". AP News. 20 July 2025.
59. "Ituri : affrontements entre factions Mai-Mai à Mambasa, des milliers de civils déplacés". Radio Okapi (in French). 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
60. "43 people killed after Islamist fighters attack worshippers at a church in DRC's Ituri province". Africanews . 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
61. "African Union takes over all peace initiatives on eastern DR Congo". Africanews. 2 August 2025. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
62. "Congo reshuffles cabinet to bring onboard opposition members". AP News . 8 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
63. "US announces sanctions against armed group and companies profiting from conflict minerals in Congo". AP News . 13 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
64. "Congo rejects Kenya's diplomatic appointment to conflict-hit Goma". AP News . 16 August 2025. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
65. "Suspected Islamist rebels kill 30 in Congo's North Kivu province". AP News . 16 August 2025. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
66. Orban, André (2025-08-16). "Tragic Antonov An-2 crash near Kisangani, DRCongo, claims all lives onboard". Aviation24. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
67. "DR Congo: At least nine killed in new ADF rebel attack". Africanews . 18 August 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
68. "Congo ex-justice minister sentenced to 3 years of forced labor for embezzling public funds". AP News. 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
69. "Congo's health ministry announces a new Ebola outbreak". AP News. 2025-09-04. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
70. "M23 rebels recapture town in eastern DRC as peace talks stall". Africanews. 2025-09-08. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
71. "At least 60 people killed in DRC after ISIL-linked attack on funeral". Al Jazeera. 2025-09-09. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
72. "Death toll from 2 attacks by Islamic-State-affiliated rebels in Congo climbs to 89". AP News. 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
73. "Congo army accused of opening fire on protesters and killing at least 3 people". AP News. 2025-09-09. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
74. "Boat capsizes in Congo, killing 86 people, most of them students". Associated Press . 2025-09-12. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
75. "At least 193 killed in two separate boat accidents in northwestern DR Congo". Al Jazeera . 2025-09-13. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
76. "DRC Public Holidays 2025". Public Holidays Global. Retrieved 2 November 2024.

External links

• Online calendar