In the heart of Africa, in the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, new recruits are being trained for battle.

The scores of militia groups that have fought for three decades in one of the most protracted and complex conflicts in the world are still engaging in deadly fighting, and US President Donald Trump’s claimed peace deal for the nation feels like a distant dream.

The deal, portrayed as a “wonderful treaty” by Trump, was signed by the foreign ministers of Rwanda and DR Congo in Washington on June 27.

However, it has yet to end the wider bloodshed that began after the 1994 Rwandan genocide and is estimated to have killed 6 million people.

“Our aim is to go to Kinshasa,” says Corneille Nangaa, a former election-chief-turned-rebel-leader, in an interview with CNN’s Larry Madowo inside the rebel-held city of Goma.

Nangaa’s rebel coalition Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), of which M23 is a key member, plans to go to Kinshasa, the country’s capital, to overthrow his one-time ally President Felix Tshisekedi, whom he considers illegitimate.

“We need to liberate our country. We need to take away this corrupted regime, and then we need to build the state,” said Nangaa, who heads AFC-M23’s political wing.

M23, which is allegedly backed by Rwanda, took control of eastern DR Congo’s two largest cities – Goma and Bukavu – in a lightning offensive at the start of this year. According to DR Congo’s government, some 7,000 people have died in fighting in the eastern Congo since January.

Crucially, neither the AFC nor M23 is party to the US-brokered peace process.

However, Trump is heralding the US-brokered peace agreement as one of the several conflicts his administration has “settled.” He is expected to host the two country’s presidents soon for a ceremonial signing of the deal.

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CNN visited Goma, home to more than 2 million people, in the week the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) released a fact-finding report on the escalation of hostilities between January and July 2025 in North and South Kivu, the provinces where Goma and Bukavu are located.

The findings “underscore the gravity and widespread nature of violations and abuses committed by all parties to the conflict, including acts that may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

Eight months on from M23’s violent takeover of Goma, the city’s Birere market is once again bustling with hundreds of stalls packed with fresh produce.

But the hectic scenes belie the ever-present threat of violence for civilians living in this contested region.

“Ça va un peu,” or “it’s kind of OK,” says one young man selling brightly colored cloth, when asked how life has been since January.

“We have suffered enough already,” another woman selling fish laid out on a small wooden table says. Like many, she declines to talk about life under the control of an armed militia or to give her name.

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Women of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, LGA, Enugu State, have thrown their weights behind the reelection of the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, saying the women of the area have never had it so good.

The women pledged their support on Wednesday during the 2025 edition of Isi-Uzo Women Convention themed “Beyond Protest and Role of Women in Community Development.

Speaking at the event, which drew a mammoth crowd of women, traditional rulers, political leaders and stakeholders of the LGA, the convener and wife of the Council Chairman, Mrs. Onyinye Obeagu, commended Governor Mbah for prioritising grassroots development, adding that the governor’s wife had greatly impacted the women and children of Isi-Uzo through her charity outreach platform, Custos Care Foundation.

“Isi-Uzo women have never benefited so much like this under any administration. We cannot thank our governor enough for all the projects going on across Isi-Uzo as well as some completed ones.

“We thank the Governor for the Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres and Smart Green Schools either ongoing or completed in all the wards of Isi-Uzo.

“We thank the First Lady for all she has done in Isi-Uzo and across the state courtesy of the Custos Care Foundation. This Foundation has greatly impacted the health and welfare of our women and children. Therefore, we shall continue to give our unflinching support to this government,” she noted.

The Council Chairman, Barr. Obiora Obeagu, also extolled Mrs. Mbah for her motherly role in championing women’s development.

“Isi-Uzo stands firmly with Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, as we work together to build a prosperous and inclusive Enugu State. Our mothers and daughters are the strength of our communities, and we thank you for standing by them,” he declared.

Barr. Obeagu assured the First Lady that his administration would continue to prioritise women empowerment, also ensuring that they were active partners in the development drive of the Council.

Responding, the Wife of the Governor, who was represented at the convention by Barr. Chidinmma Egonu, commended the women of Isi-Uzo for their industry and loyalty to the present administration and encouraged them to use the opportunity of the convention to create bonds, learn and develop capacity to unlock their many potential.

“I am deeply touched by the love and solidarity I have seen today in Isi-Uzo. Women are the heartbeat of every society, and this administration is committed to empowering you with opportunities in health, education, agriculture, and skills development,” she assured.

She further encouraged women to remain united and continue supporting the government’s vision.

“Together, we will build stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger Enugu State. I celebrate your resilience today,” Mrs. Mbah concluded.

Speaking, Mrs. Mbah, who was represented by the Managing Director, Custo Care Foundation, Dr. Blessing Egodi, commended Governor Mbah for the improved security in the state and the women of Isi-Uzo for their resilience and prevailing peace in their communities.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Ify Ani-Osheku, commended the effort of the Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Council on areas of health especially for enrolling 5,000 persons in the Health Insurance Scheme.

Dr. Ani-Osheku also enjoined the galaxy of women at the event to support the present administration in Enugu State and join in raising the bar of governance.

The highpoint of the convention was the distribution of empowerment packages and palliatives, including bags of rice, wrappers, and other household essentials to the women amidst chants of joy.

Women, especially widows, who received the items expressed gratitude to the First Lady, pledging to extend the goodwill to families across the LGA.

The event also featured colourful cultural dances, solidarity songs, and drama sketches by women groups showcasing the role of women in development.

Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his significant contributions to peace and stability across Africa.

The nomination, submitted by respected Angolan academic and international policy analyst Afonso Botáz, highlights President Lourenço’s effective diplomacy in mediating regional conflicts and his commitment to national reconciliation and justice.

In his official submission, Botáz commended President Lourenço’s “firm commitment to resolving regional conflicts on the African continent, based on the principle of peace.”

This has been particularly evident in his role as the African Union (AU) Champion for Peace and Reconciliation.

President Lourenço’s diplomacy has been instrumental in de-escalating tensions and fostering dialogue between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, preventing a near-certain slide into confrontation.

His steady mediation has also been crucial in stabilizing the Central African Republic, where he coordinated with continental partners to avert a deeper political crisis.

“President Lourenço’s brand of diplomacy rests on dialogue and respect for the sovereignty of other States,” stated Afonso Botáz in his nomination letter. “His work reinforces a deep commitment to the pacification of regional conflicts. It is a quiet, effective diplomacy that builds calm step-by-step rather than through mere ceremony.”

The nomination also cites President Lourenço’s domestic agenda, which has prioritized national reconciliation, institutional repair, and historical justice, including advocacy for reparations for African people. According to Botáz, these efforts have been vital in “restoring confidence in state institutions” and have provided the foundation for Angola’s credible and respected voice on the international stage.

“If the Nobel Peace Prize is meant to reward the dedicated practice of peace, then President Lourenço’s record presents the kind of steady, trusted leadership that the continent and the world benefit from,” concluded Botáz.

About President João Lourenço João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, inaugurated on September 26, 2017, is the third President of the Republic of Angola. A former Minister of Defense, his presidency has focused on economic reform, strengthening democratic institutions, and positioning Angola as a key diplomatic force for peace and security in Africa.

Source:  Afonso Botáz