On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévôt visited Beni, a town in North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This visit occurred shortly after his meeting with President Félix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa, prompting discussions about Belgium’s intentions in the region.
Prévôt’s arrival in Beni, where he was received by Major General Somo Kakule Evariste, the former provincial governor now based in Beni following M23’s control over other parts of North Kivu, has been viewed by some observers as a provocative stance against the M23.
The rebel group has recently appointed Joseph Bahati Musanga as the new governor of North Kivu, along with vice governors Willy Manzi Ngarambe and Shadrak Amani Bahati, signaling a shift towards establishing administrative control in the region.
Reports suggest that Prévôt’s visit included meetings with recently deployed Belgian troops in the area, further fueling speculation about Belgium’s involvement in the ongoing conflict.
Critics argue that such actions undermine ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict and could exacerbate tensions between the DRC government and the M23.
The M23’s establishment of a new administration in North Kivu has been met with mixed reactions.
While some view it as a step towards restoring order in the region, others remain skeptical of the group’s intentions.
As the situation in eastern DRC continues to evolve, the international community faces increasing pressure to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict and address the underlying issues fueling the violence.