The Congolese Special Force in Training to Retake Goma and Bukavu! 60,000 Troops Deployed as Peace Talks Hang by a Thread

Tensions are once again boiling over in eastern Congo. The Congolese government has launched a massive military campaign aimed at regaining control of Goma and Bukavu, two key cities in the conflict-ridden provinces of North and South Kivu. 

President Félix Tshisekedi has deployed 60,000 troops, a bold move that has stirred fear, anger, and international concern. The deployment includes the elite Congolese Special Forces, now undergoing intense training for what is shaping up to be the region’s largest military operation since 2013. 

The FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo), ranked as the 8th strongest military in Africa, is preparing for a decisive showdown with the AFC/M23 coalition, which has controlled Goma and Bukavu since early 2025. M23 claims to be defending marginalized communities while pushing for governance reforms, but Kinshasa views their grip on these cities as a threat to national sovereignty. 

As diplomatic efforts stumble, Kinshasa is doubling down militarily. While talks in Doha, Qatar, have been ongoing, but rebel leaders accuse the government of undermining the process by reinforcing frontlines instead of fostering dialogue. 

Ben Mbonimpa, Permanent Secretary of the AFC/M23, warned that Kinshasa’s actions show a preference for war: “Do the reinforcements of troops and military equipment suggest an environment conducive to talks? One thing is certain: Kinshasa wants war, and it will wage it. The ARC will defend itself, no matter what happens.” 

Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the alliance, accused the government of bad faith and warned of possible crimes against humanity, claiming that government troops and their allies, particularly from Burundi, are deploying heavy weapons near densely populated areas. 

With Goma and Bukavu now at the heart of the conflict, the stakes couldn’t be higher. These strategic cities are not only major commercial hubs but also symbols of control in the volatile east. For Kinshasa, regaining them is a matter of national pride and constitutional duty. 

The troop surge comes in the wake of the February 2025 Washington Accord, signed between Rwanda and the DRC. That deal aimed to neutralize armed groups like FDLR but has since stalled. 

In a notable shift, M23 and DRC recently signed a Declaration of Principles in Doha, marking a potential path forward. The agreement, signed on a Saturday just weeks after the Washington meetings, was hailed by the African Union as “a significant development.” AU Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said it offers hope for lasting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region. 

Reporting from Goma, Al Jazeera’s Alain Uaykani described the atmosphere before the deal as “very unstable” and said the declaration may finally open the door to meaningful talks. While it does not yet outline details such as M23’s withdrawal or foreign troop demobilization, it affirms a joint commitment to restoring state authority across all Congolese territory. 

M23, made up largely of ethnic Tutsi fighters, insists the root causes of the conflict, historic discrimination, displacement, and governance failures, must be addressed. Their stance reflects a long and painful legacy, tied in part to the 1994 Rwandan genocide and its aftermath. 

Qatar’s mediation included a surprise meeting in March between Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, which resulted in a joint call for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire.” That paved the way for direct DRC–M23 negotiations, despite Kinshasa having previously branded the group as a terrorist organization. 

Still, deep concerns remain. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya stated that the agreement respects Congo’s “non-negotiable red lines,” particularly the withdrawal of M23 forces. Talks aimed at finalizing a broader peace deal are set to begin no later than August 8, with an August 18 deadline looming. 

Meanwhile, the United States has also played a key diplomatic role. In June, the U.S. hosted high-level talks between Rwanda and the DRC, culminating in a peace pledge signed by their foreign ministers. U.S. President Donald Trump attended the summit and warned of “very severe penalties” if the agreement is violated. Washington had also pressured both parties to conclude the Doha talks by that time. 

Despite these international efforts, violence and displacement continue. The United Nations reports that more than 7 million people have been uprooted across the country, with North and South Kivu among the worst-affected areas. 

AFC/M23 insists it has no intention of leaving Goma or Bukavu. Instead, the group says it is committed to restoring peace and functioning governance in cooperation with Kinshasa. 

“We are here to stay,” declared Oscar Balinda, deputy spokesperson of the group. “We have no demands from Kinshasa. We are here to find lasting solutions together.” He added that in areas under M23’s control, there is peace, functioning schools, working hospitals, and growing commerce. 

Balinda reaffirmed that AFC/M23 supports the ceasefire but will defend civilians and rebel positions if attacked. When asked about a possible withdrawal from the cities, his answer was clear: “We are here, and we will stay. This is our home.” 

M23 first took Minova in January 2025, then advanced rapidly, defeating a coalition that included the Congolese army, FDLR rebels, Wazalendo militias, European mercenaries, Burundian troops, and SADC forces to capture Goma and Bukavu. 

The group justifies its rise by pointing to the decades-long marginalization of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities and systemic failures in governance. Leaders say their actions are not about rebellion but about restoring order where the state has failed. 

In a bid to normalize life under rebel control, M23-appointed Governor Bahati Musanga Erasto announced in February that Goma and Bukavu’s ports would operate 24 hours a day, starting February 18. The announcement followed M23’s full takeover of Lake Kivu just two days earlier. 

Lake transport had been shut down for over three weeks due to intense fighting. The reopening of trade routes follows pressure from EAC and SADC leaders, who urged access be restored for civilian use. 

Despite these efforts to restore order, the situation remains highly volatile. Kinshasa insists the mission to reclaim Goma and Bukavu is about unity and territorial integrity. M23 counters that it is defending its people and promoting sustainable peace. 

As the Congolese Special Forces complete their final training drills and troops are mobilized for what could be a major offensive, the world watches with concern. Will this standoff end in devastating war, or will it usher in a new era of peace in eastern Congo?