President Tshisekedi Begs For Help

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is reportedly requesting military support from Chad and Angola in light of the advance of the M23 rebels. President Tshisekedi

needs help in the fight against the M23 and the African Forces of Congo (AFC). He wants military support from Chad and Angola. Chad is to provide assistance to protect Tshopo province and its capital, Kisangani, which lies north of the areas controlled by the M23 rebel group. Angola is to protect the provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba, which border Angola. Since January 2025, the M23 has launched a new offensive and captured several areas in the east of the DRC, particularly in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu. This offensive has resulted in significant territorial gains and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee. The M23 has continued its advance into the southeast, exacerbating the strategic situation in the region. The areas they control are primarily located in the border region with Rwanda and Uganda. The ADF are also active in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu and have captured territory there. In summary, both groups have made significant territorial gains in recent months, primarily in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the resource-rich and strategically important provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu. This urgent request comes as the M23 rebels continue to conquer territory. After capturing the strategically important town of Uvira in South Kivu province on December 10, the rebels advanced further south and seized control of the town of Makobola. The advance now threatens the town of Mboko and, according to regional intelligence, appears to be strategically aimed at Kalemie, considered the gateway to the resource-rich Katanga region.