2025 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Events of the year 2025 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Incumbents

5 January – M23 rebels seize the town of Masisi, North Kivu.
9 January – The government bans Al Jazeera from operating in the country after the network airs an interview with M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa the previous day.
15 January – At least ten people are killed in an attack by the Allied Democratic Forces on the village of Makoko in Lubero Territory, North Kivu.
21 January – M23 rebels seize the towns of Minova, Lumbishi, Numbi and Shanje in South Kivu, as well as Bweremana in North Kivu.
23 January – Major General Peter Cirimwami, the military governor of North Kivu, is killed in action during clashes with M23.
25 January – The DRC cuts diplomatic relations with Rwanda and orders its diplomatic personnel to leave the country amid accusations by Kinshasa of Rwandan support for the M23 offensive.
27 January – 2025 Goma offensive: M23 claims that it had taken Goma, the capital of North Kivu.
28 January – 2025 Kinshasa riots: The French embassy in Kinshasa is set on fire by protesters demonstrating against the conflict in the eastern DRC. The Rwandan, French, Belgian and US embassies are also attacked.
29 January – M23 launches an offensive into South Kivu, taking the districts of Kanyezire and Mukwija.

4 February – A humanitarian ceasefire is declared by the antigovernment Congo River Alliance, which includes M23.
5 February – M23 seizes the city of Nyabibwe in South Kivu despite declaring a ceasefire.
10 February – At least 55 people are killed in an attack by CODECO militants in the Djaiba area of Ituri.
12 February – Kasanga massacre: The Allied Democratic Forces kill 70 Christians inside a church in Lubero Territory.
14 February – 2025 Bukavu offensive: M23 claims to have seized Kavumu Airport and are confirmed to have entered Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.
17 February – The Ugandan military enters Bunia, the capital of Ituri, to augment the Congolese military.
19 February – A boat carrying refugees from the M23 offensive capsizes in Lake Edward, killing 22 passengers.
20 February – The United States imposes sanctions on Rwandan minister for regional integration James Kabarebe and M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston for their roles in the M23 offensive.
24 February – At least 53 people are reported to have died in an outbreak of an unidentified disease that began on 21 January in Boloko, with 419 cases recorded. Authorities subsequently identify that outbreak as being caused by malaria.
27 February – Twelve people are killed following explosions at an M23 rally in Bukavu.

8 March – Nine people are killed in an attack by ADF militants on the village of Ngohi Vuyinga in Lubero Territory, North Kivu.
9 March – A boat capsizes along the Kwa River in Mushie, killing 25 people.
10 March - The DRC's military prosecutor questions Joseph Kabila’s party officials amid rising tensions over M23 rebels, as President Tshisekedi accuses Kabila of sponsoring them.
13 March – South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi announce the withdrawal of their military contingents from the Southern African Development Community peacekeeping mission to the eastern DRC.
19 March – M23 rebels take the mining town of Walikale in North Kivu.
28 March – M23 announces a ceasefire with the SADC peacekeeping mission to facilitate the latter's withdrawal from the DRC.

4 April –
- M23 rebels withdraw from Walikale as part of what it calls a goodwill gesture ahead of peace negotiations with the government mediated by Qatar.
- At least 33 people are killed following floods caused by heavy rain in Kinshasa.
9 April – Three American nationals convicted for participating in the 2024 Democratic Republic of the Congo coup attempt are repatriated to the United States after their death sentences are commuted to life imprisonment by President Tshisekedi on 1 April.
11 April – Forty-one captives held by the ADF are rescued in a joint operation by DRC and Ugandan soldiers in North Kivu.
12 April – At least 50 people are reported killed in clashes between the DRC military and M23 in the Goma area.