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The International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG), chaired by Germany and including the US, EU, UK and several European nations, issued a statement Tuesday expressing "profound concern" regarding renewed violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The statement focused on the new offensive by the March 23 Movement (M23) around Uvira, South Kivu.

The ICG warned that the fighting has a "destabilizing potential" for the entire region.

It expressed particular alarm at the increased use of attack and suicide drones in the conflict, calling it a "significant escalation" that poses an "acute risk to civilian populations."

The ICG urged the M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) to "immediately halt" offensive operations in eastern Congo.

The UN, Kinshasa and others accuse neighboring Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, which Kigali denies.

It called on the RDF to withdraw from the region, and demanded the M23 return to its positions and "uphold its commitments of the Declaration of Principles that was signed in Doha on 19 July 2025."

The group also urged all parties to honor obligations to protect civilians; adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 2773, which demanded the M23 to stop all offensives and Rwanda to end support for the rebel group; respect territorial integrity and uphold the Washington Accords of Dec. 4.

Congo and Rwanda signed a "historic" peace and economic agreement in Washington to end the fighting in eastern Congo.

It urged actors to avoid provocative actions and ensure safe, unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need.

The group consists of the US, Belgium, Denmark, the EU, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

Parties to hold talks in Qatar

The M23 rebel group said Tuesday it is set to hold new talks with Kinshasa in Doha in the coming days.

The Congolese government and M23 signed a peace framework agreement in Doha last month that was brokered by Qatar, following the Declaration of Principles ceasefire deal signed by the two sides in July.

At least 74 people have been killed and 83 wounded as a result of recent clashes in eastern South Kivu province.

The most recent stage of the conflict erupted in 2021, when the M23 group resurfaced and launched an offensive against Congolese government forces. Since it intensified its offensive last year, the rebels have seized significant territory in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.