What is happening in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

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For over 30 years, the mineral-rich eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has suffered from a persistent conflict.

Numerous armed groups have competed with the central authorities for power and control over the country’s vast wealth.

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Instability has worsened the situation in neighboring countries—similar to what happened in the 1990s when two massive conflicts, often referred to as Africa’s World Wars, resulted in the deaths of millions of people.

What is Happening in Goma?

M23 rebels in the DRC are advancing southward toward Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province, in what appears to be an attempt to expand their control over eastern Congo following their seizure of the city of Goma.

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Goma is a major city with a population of over a million people. It lies on the border with Rwanda and sits on the shores of Lake Kivu.

The city, located in the eastern part of the country, is a vital hub for trade and transportation, close to mining towns that supply highly sought-after minerals such as gold, tin, and coltan. The latter is a key component in mobile phones and batteries for electric cars.

The rebels claim they have full control over the city, despite ongoing resistance.

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Colonel Nanga, the leader of the “Congo River Alliance,” which includes M23 rebels in the DRC, told Reuters that they plan to govern Goma.

According to the agency, citing five diplomatic and security sources, M23 fighters were later advancing southward from the town of Minova, along the western side of Lake Kivu, toward Bukavu.

Meanwhile, United Nations relief agencies have warned of a major humanitarian crisis, as hospitals are overwhelmed with victims and bodies lie in the streets.

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Calls to Stop the Bloodshed

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has called on the international community to halt M23’s advance in the east of the country.

Angola, which had mediated peace talks that collapsed in December, has urged an urgent meeting between the Congolese and Rwandan leaders in Luanda.

However, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi rejected talks with his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, on Wednesday.

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Tshisekedi condemned what he called the “inaction” of the international community regarding the occupation of Congolese territories by fighters he claimed were “supported by Rwanda.” He warned of the risk of a “regional escalation.”

In a televised address, he stated: “Your silence and inaction (…) are an insult” to the DRC, adding that M23’s advances “could directly lead to an escalation” in the Great Lakes region.

The latest developments are part of a long-running conflict over power, identity, and resources that has lasted for decades, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives and displacing more than a million people since its recent resurgence.

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Who is M23?

M23, short for “March 23 Movement,” is a former Tutsi-led rebel group that was defeated in 2013 but took up arms again at the end of 2021, accusing the government of reneging on a deal to integrate its fighters into the national security forces.

The group is a remnant of the original M23 movement, which was formed in April 2012.

It emerged from the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP), a rebel group that fought against the DRC government between 2006 and 2009.

Both groups claim that Congolese Tutsis and other ethnic communities in North and South Kivu face discrimination.

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The two movements are of Rwandan origin and are often referred to as “Rwandans.”

M23 alleges that several previous agreements to end the conflict have not been upheld—it took its name from the peace agreement signed on March 23, 2009.

For over a year, M23 has controlled the Rubaya coltan mining area in the DRC, generating an estimated $800,000 per month in production taxes, according to the United Nations.

Analysts say the group’s expansion into new areas in recent weeks gives it access to more mining revenues.

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What is Rwanda’s Role?

Rwanda has consistently denied supporting M23. However, since 2012, UN experts have accused it of providing weapons, logistical support, and even direct leadership to the rebels.

The Congolese government, along with the United States and France, has also accused Rwanda of backing the movement.

Last year, a UN expert report stated that up to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers were fighting alongside M23.

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In a statement released on Sunday, Rwanda did not explicitly deny supporting M23 but instead claimed that the fighting near its borders posed a “serious threat” to its “security and territorial integrity.”

Rwanda, in turn, accuses the DRC of fighting alongside the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel group that has attacked Tutsi communities in both countries.

A peace process mediated by Angola and involving both Rwanda and the DRC resulted in a ceasefire agreement last year. However, the deal quickly collapsed, and fighting resumed.

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What are Peacekeeping Forces and Other Powers Doing?

The United Nations peacekeeping forces have been supporting the Congolese army’s efforts to curb M23 as part of the MONUSCO mission (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo). The mission has been working for years to confront multiple armed groups operating in the east of the country.

The planned withdrawal of the UN mission was put on hold due to the deteriorating security situation. As of December, there were approximately 11,000 peacekeepers on the ground, most of them deployed in the eastern region.

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Following the fall of Goma, the mission evacuated some of its staff and their families. Its base has also been sheltering a large number of people seeking refuge, including government officials, military personnel, and other individuals.

What About the DRC’s Mineral Wealth?

In recent years, M23 has seized numerous lucrative mining areas. A UN expert report in December revealed that the group exports approximately 120 tons of coltan to Rwanda every four weeks.

The report also noted a sharp increase in Rwanda’s mineral exports in recent years, with much of the supply believed to originate from the DRC.

However, Rwanda has consistently denied allegations of exploiting minerals from the DRC.

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