South Kivu – At exactly 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 24, 2025, heavy fighting erupted in the mining town of Kadasomwa, Kalehe territory, South Kivu province, after forces loyal to the Kinshasa regime, reportedly reinforced by foreign mercenaries, launched a major offensive against M23 positions.
M23 accused the government coalition of blatantly violating the ceasefire by targeting both its defensive lines and densely populated neighborhoods.
According to M23, drone bombings forced hundreds of civilians to flee, leaving behind “considerable human losses.”
Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for M23, confirmed the attacks, telling Kivu Today: “Once again, Kinshasa has unleashed foreign mercenaries and drones on civilian populations, in blatant violation of the ceasefire. Families are fleeing in every direction. The international community cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this.”
Kadasomwa, which was captured by M23 and its allies on April 29, 2025, is far more than a rural settlement. Its location on National Road No. 3; the highway linking Bukavu to Kisangani; makes it strategically indispensable for logistics, trade, and military movements in eastern Congo.
The town’s mineral wealth, particularly gold and cassiterite, adds to its importance, making it a prime target for armed groups.
Holding Kadasomwa also gives M23 leverage over routes leading to Bunyakiri, intensifying pressure on FARDC and Wazalendo positions. Analysts warn that the renewed offensive risks destabilizing South Kivu further and undermines fragile regional ceasefire efforts.
M23 vowed that foreign mercenaries would not be spared this time: “Contrary to the Goma scenario, where hundreds of mercenaries returned home after massacring our compatriots, their murderous campaign in Kadasomwa will guarantee them no safe return,” Kanyuka declared.
The involvement of foreign mercenaries, once again, combined with drone strikes, marks a dangerous escalation in the conflict.
Observers caution that the fighting could derail the Doha and Washington peace tracks and entrench Kadasomwa as a new epicenter of war in eastern Congo.
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