Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have intensified their offensive in eastern Congo, capturing Goma, the region’s largest city, in late January and advancing towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. The escalating conflict, rooted in historical tensions related to power, identity, and resources, has led to significant casualties and displacement since its resurgence in 2012.
The situation on the ground has deteriorated rapidly, with reports indicating that hundreds of thousands have lost their lives in the ongoing violence, and more than a million people have been displaced from their homes. After taking control of Goma, the M23 rebels have moved southward, seizing the strategically important Kavumu airport, which serves Bukavu. This maneuver underscores their intent to establish control and demonstrate governance capabilities in the territories they occupy.
The recent fighting has been marked by chaos, including reports of looting and sexual violence along the front lines as M23 confronts the Congolese army and its allies, including troops from Burundi. The United Nations refugee agency has expressed alarm over the rapidly worsening humanitarian situation, stating that approximately 350,000 people are currently without shelter due to the conflict.
The involvement of Rwandan and Burundian forces has raised concerns that the conflict could escalate into a broader regional crisis, reminiscent of the devastating wars that ravaged the area between 1996 and 2003. South Africa has recently deployed additional troops and military resources to the region following the deaths of 14 of its soldiers in clashes with M23 last month.
M23, named after a peace accord signed on March 23, 2009, that ended a previous Tutsi-led uprising, accuses the Congolese government of failing to uphold the terms of the agreement, particularly regarding the integration of Congolese Tutsis into the national army and administration. The group claims to defend Tutsi interests against ethnic Hutu militias, such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which emerged after the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Despite the group’s claims of governance, the local population has faced increasing violence and instability. The M23 has controlled the coltan-rich region of Rubaya for over a year, generating substantial revenue through mining operations. Coltan, a key material in the production of smartphones and other electronics, underscores the economic motivations behind the conflict, as Congo is rich in minerals essential for global technology markets.
Congo’s government, supported by the U.N. and Western powers, has accused Rwanda of exacerbating the conflict by deploying troops and heavy weaponry in support of the M23. A 2022 U.N. report provided evidence of Rwandan military involvement alongside the rebels, a claim that Rwanda denies, asserting that it is only taking defensive measures against threats from Congolese forces allied with the FDLR.
Peace efforts have been largely ineffective, with African leaders pushing for negotiations but facing resistance from the Congolese government, which refuses to engage directly with M23, labeling it a terrorist organization. President Felix Tshisekedi reiterated this stance at a recent security conference, emphasizing the government’s unwillingness to negotiate with what it considers a terrorist group.
The situation remains precarious, with U.N. peacekeepers attempting to support the Congolese army’s efforts against M23. However, the peacekeeping mission’s withdrawal has been paused due to the deteriorating security landscape. As the conflict continues, the humanitarian crisis deepens, leaving many in eastern Congo in dire need of assistance. The international community watches closely, aware that the implications of this conflict extend far beyond Congo’s borders.