By KT Reporter
The March 23 Movement -M23 rebels have announced that the Democratic Republic of Congo -DRC main border with Rwanda of Grande Barrière (Rubavu) will re-open starting with September 19, 2025.
Since the capture of the area and Goma city by the M23 rebels in January 2024, the border has been operating partially with strict restriction of operating from 6AM and closing at 3PM.
In a short statement released by Erasto Bahati Musanga, the governor of North Kivu province appointed by M23 rebels, dated September, 18, 2025, the border will start full operations from 06:00 AM to midnight.
In a statement, Bahati states that the decision was made by the M23 administration and is aimed at restoring trade and mobility. The DR Congo government has not yet reacted to M23 rebels’ announcement to officially open the border with Rwanda aimed at boosting trade and transport.
Such steps of consolidation continue to raise questions if the M23 rebels have plans to vacate areas under their control. Amidst ongoing peace talks in Qatar, M23 rebels last week also passed out more than 7,000 recruits from Rumangabo military training wing in Rutshuru territory ready for deployment.
Rebels control major areas of North and South Kivu provinces since the resumption of insurgency in 2022. The DR Congo government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim that both Rwanda and M23 deny. The rebels assert that their fight is against corruption, xenophobia and discrimination within the DR Congo’s leadership.
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