Leaders of the March 23 Movement (M23), a prominent rebel group, along with the Congo River Alliance (AFC), a politico-military group allied to M23, have declared their readiness to pursue a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This significant announcement was made by Bintou Keita, the special representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC, during a press briefing held in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, on June 13, 2025.

Keita, who also serves as the head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), conveyed that the leaders of AFC/M23 expressed their willingness to engage in constructive dialogue. Their statement followed a meeting with the M23 and AFC leadership in Goma, a city that has been under rebel control since late January. This development signals a potential shift towards de-escalation in a region long plagued by conflict.

In a related development, Keita also reported the recent relocation of 1,359 personnel from the DRC military and national police from Goma to Kinshasa, the country's capital. This transfer operation was successfully facilitated through the collaborative efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the DRC government, AFC/M23, and MONUSCO, demonstrating a degree of cooperation between various stakeholders. MONUSCO has reiterated its steadfast commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at alleviating tensions and fostering enduring peace and stability across the region.