An ongoing insurgency by the M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has escalated, with fighters closing in on Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.
The offensive has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis in a region already scarred by two devastating wars between 1996 and 2003. Thousands of civilians have fled their homes, and flights from Goma’s airport have been grounded as government forces attempt to push back the rebels.
M23, named after a 2009 peace accord meant to end a previous Tutsi-led rebellion, re-emerged in 2022, accusing the Congolese government of failing to honor its promises. The group claims it is fighting to protect the interests of Tutsis in Congo, particularly against ethnic Hutu militias such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). The FDLR was founded by Hutus who fled Rwanda after participating in the 1994 genocide that killed close to a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
In addition to its military advances, M23 has solidified its control over valuable mining areas, including Rubaya, a major coltan-mining hub. Coltan, a key component in the production of smartphones and electronic devices, generates significant revenue for the group—estimated at $800,000 per month through production taxes, according to the United Nations. Analysts warn that M23’s capture of new territories could further boost its financial resources.
The government of Congo, backed by the United Nations and Western powers, has accused neighboring Rwanda of fueling the conflict by providing troops and heavy weapons to M23. A 2022 U.N. report claimed to have “solid evidence” of Rwandan forces fighting alongside the rebels. Rwanda, however, denies these allegations and accuses Congo of collaborating with the FDLR, a militia known for attacking Tutsis in both countries.
Rwanda’s involvement in Congo’s conflicts is not new. The country, along with Uganda, invaded Congo in 1996 and 1998, citing security concerns linked to cross-border militia activity. While Rwanda insists its actions are defensive, its alleged backing of M23 highlights the complex and intertwined dynamics fueling instability in the region.
As the M23 insurgency intensifies, the humanitarian toll grows, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced. Efforts to bring peace to eastern Congo remain elusive, as tensions between the Congolese government, Rwanda, and armed groups threaten to deepen the crisis.
