- The escalating conflict between M23 and DRC forces has cost thousands of lives since January, induced widespread displacement, and a humanitarian crisis. Sexual violence is used as a weapon of war.
- Journalists, activists, and aid workers are under threat, some have been killed, and forced into hiding. Reporting on the crisis and atrocities is a life and death battle.
- Both M23 and DRC authorities are culpable of civic freedoms violations.
Civic space in eastern DRC is under severe threat as the armed group M23 has intensified its military offensive. The country is now added to 2025’s first Watchlist by the CIVICUS monitor which flags countries with faltering civic space.