M23 insurgents retook Shoa in eastern DR Congo’s North Kivu province early Sunday, disrupting a precarious peace landscape after armed confrontations displaced pro-government and militia forces. The capture underscores the collapsing dynamics of the Doha-brokered peace initiative and intensifying threats to civilians.

Ongoing Violence Amid Fragile Peace

The seizure of Shoa came just months after the DRC and M23 signed a declaration of principles in Doha, aimed at halting hostilities. Yet, the resumption of fighting—even in mineral-rich zones like Masisi—signals a glaring failure to honour commitments.

Additionally, the region remains plagued by systemic human rights abuses. A recent UN rights office report highlights that both M23 and allied forces—along with pro-government groups like Wazalendo—have perpetrated crimes that may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity, including rape, murder, and torture.

Humanitarian Fallout and Land Tensions

The latest breach in Shoa follows continued civilian suffering and instability in the Great Lakes region. Over 80 civilians have been killed in clashes by Rwanda-backed forces in recent weeks, according to Congolese authorities. The violence threatens the Doha peace process, which includes provisions for civilian protection and resettlement.

Meanwhile, land disputes are escalating: returning farmers are encountering land seizures by outsiders, some tied to M23, prompting hundreds of local conflicts. Rebel-ruled areas manage these disputes through hastily established “arbitration centres,” further complicating the peace process.

Widening Crisis and Faltering Diplomacy

Shoa’s fall is emblematic of the crisis sweeping eastern DRC. Despite high-profile diplomatic efforts—including U.S. and Qatari mediation—the offensives continue unchecked.

The DRC faces a mounting humanitarian catastrophe: localized governance collapse, economic hardship in M23-held areas, and the breakdown of talks all converge to deepening instability. With peace declared but not enforced, the region’s recovery remains bleakly uncertain.