The M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda and led by members of the Tutsi ethnic group, has claimed control over Goma, the largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On Monday, heavy gunfire and clashes occurred as the rebels seized the city. Thousands of residents fled to escape the violence, and several prisons were attacked and set on fire, leading to the escape of thousands of inmates, according to local authorities.
The M23’s attack on the mineral-rich eastern city of Goma has forced thousands of residents to abandon their homes. This decades-old conflict raises concerns of triggering a regional war.
What’s happening in Congo?
A long-standing conflict between Rwanda-supported rebels and Congolese security forces continues, with the M23 group rapidly advancing and capturing several cities. The Tutsi-led rebel fighters now control much of Goma, a significant trade and transportation hub in eastern Congo. The city is crucial for its links to mining towns that produce highly sought-after minerals like gold, tin, and coltan.
How long has the conflict been ongoing?
The conflict in Congo’s mineral-rich east has persisted for over 30 years, stemming from the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Numerous armed groups have been fighting for control of the country’s vast mineral wealth and power against the central government.
This instability has also affected neighboring countries, with the conflict being a factor in two wars in the 1990s, often referred to as “Africa’s World War,” which resulted in millions of deaths.
Who are the M23?
The M23, formed in 2012 as a splinter group of a Congolese rebel organization, claims to protect the Tutsi community in eastern DRC, which they say has faced long-standing persecution and discrimination.
The group’s activities were suppressed by military action, forcing thousands of members to flee to Rwanda. However, the M23 resumed armed operations in 2021.
What are the allegations against Rwanda?
Both the DRC and the United Nations have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, although Rwanda has neither confirmed nor denied these allegations. A 2022 UN report stated that around 4,000 Rwandan troops entered Congo to assist the M23.
On Sunday, Rwanda issued a statement but did not explicitly deny its support for the rebels, instead calling the conflict a “serious threat” to its security and territorial integrity.
Are others involved in the conflict?
UN peacekeepers are assisting the Congolese military in countering the M23 offensive. Due to the deteriorating security situation, the withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping mission from DRC has been delayed.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc of 16 African nations, has deployed troops to eastern Congo, although they have been unable to halt the rebels’ advance.
South Africa reported the death of at least nine soldiers while resisting the rebel incursion into Goma. The UN stated that three Malawian soldiers and one Uruguayan peacekeeper have also been killed in the conflict.