The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially requested military assistance from Chad in its ongoing battle against the M23 rebels, who have been advancing through eastern Congo, according to media reports on Wednesday.
Didier Mazenga, a special envoy from Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, traveled to Chad on Tuesday to meet with President Mahamat Idriss Déby. During the meeting, Mazenga delivered a formal request for Chad’s support in combating the rebels, who have intensified their offensive in recent weeks.
While the request has not yet been publicly addressed, a Chadian official stated that “nothing is ruled out,” leaving the door open for potential military cooperation. Earlier this month, President Déby publicly voiced Chad’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC, signaling the possibility of further involvement.
The M23 insurgency, which began in the early 2000s, has escalated in recent months. The rebels captured the strategic city of Goma in late January and have since pushed toward Bukavu, leading to significant civilian displacement and loss of life. President Tshisekedi reported that the conflict has forced more than 7 million people to flee their homes.
Since late January, ongoing clashes have resulted in over 3,000 deaths, nearly 3,000 injuries, and more than 500,000 new displacements. This brings the total number of displaced people in the region to more than 6.4 million, according to United Nations figures.
In addition, at least 20 peacekeepers, including 14 South African troops, have been killed during the recent fighting. The DRC government has accused neighboring Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels and deploying its military forces in eastern Congo. Rwanda, however, has consistently denied these allegations.
The worsening conflict has sparked calls for greater international intervention to stabilize the region, with both the Congolese government and the international community expressing growing concern over the human toll and the ongoing displacement crisis.
