GOMA, Congo — Recent days have seen a surge in clashes between the Congolese military and the M23 rebel faction in the eastern part of the country, just before crucial peace negotiations expected to take place on Sunday, as reported by the army.

The Congolese military attributed the deaths of twelve civilians to M23 fighters this past week in several villages within the Lubero territory, located in the North-Kivu province. However, a spokesperson for M23 has firmly rejected these claims, referring to them as mere “propaganda” intended to discredit the rebel group.

M23 is among roughly 100 armed groups competing for control over the resource-rich eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which borders Rwanda. This ongoing conflict has led to one of the most significant humanitarian crises in the world, displacing over seven million individuals.

Both the Congolese government and the United Nations have accused Rwanda of providing support to M23, a charge Rwanda has dismissed. Nonetheless, in February, Rwanda acknowledged the presence of its troops and missile systems in eastern Congo, citing the need to protect its national security amidst a perceived buildup of Congolese military forces near the border. U.N. assessments suggest up to 4,000 Rwandan troops may be operating within Congolese territory.

Last month, negotiations between Congolese and Rwandan foreign ministers outlined terms for the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from eastern Congo. Although a ceasefire agreement was reached between Congo and M23 in July, taking effect in August, hostilities have reignited. The United States has recently expressed serious concerns regarding breaches of the ceasefire by M23 rebels.

This escalation in conflict coincides with an upcoming meeting between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Angola, which has been acting as a mediator in the ongoing tensions. This meeting marks their first formal interaction since the previous year.

Aline Kasereka, a mother of six residing in Lubero—about 30 miles from the conflicted areas—has emphasized the urgent need for peace talks. “We are tired of the war; every day we move, we feel lost and don’t know where we belong anymore,” she remarked. “Our leaders need to negotiate a solution because we want to return to a normal life.”

Henry Pacifique, an analyst from the Kivu Security Barometer research initiative, expressed skepticism about the potential success of the upcoming summit. He noted that Angola appears to be pressuring both Congo and Rwanda to engage in dialogue, while each side seems to be using the other as a reason for future violations of any agreement reached.