Violent clashes have intensified between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army and the Rwandan-backed M23 Tutsi-led rebels in eastern Congo, resulting in numerous casualties and displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians. The escalation of fighting has heightened the risk of a broader conflict between Congo and Rwanda, potentially drawing in neighbouring countries and regional forces such as South Africa, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi.
In response to deteriorating security conditions in eastern Congo, residents in the capital Kinshasa and the North Kivu provincial capital Goma have taken to the streets to protest, accusing the international community of failing to hold Rwanda accountable for its support of the rebels.
The M23 rebel group, named after the March 23 date of a 2009 peace accord, is the latest in a series of ethnic Tutsi-led insurgent groups to challenge Congolese forces. The group alleges that the Congolese government has not fulfilled its commitments under previous peace agreements to fully integrate Congolese Tutsis into the army and administration. Additionally, the M23 vows to protect Tutsi interests, particularly against ethnic Hutu militias like the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which originated from Hutus who fled Rwanda after the 1994 genocide.
The rebels have advanced towards Goma, positioning themselves in the hills outside Sake, just 25 km from the city, and blocking major roads to the north and west. Capturing Goma would represent a significant military victory for the M23.
In 2012 and 2013, the M23 briefly seized control of large parts of eastern Congo and entered Goma before being pushed back by Congolese and U.N. forces into Uganda and Rwanda.
Despite numerous ceasefires brokered by regional leaders and the United States, fighting has persisted. The withdrawal of regional peacekeepers, coupled with Congo's decision to end their mandate, has further complicated efforts to address the conflict. However, in May, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) approved a military mission to support Congo in addressing instability and combating armed groups in the region. Unlike previous forces, the SADC troops, which include contingents from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania, have been granted an offensive mandate to assist Congo's army against rebel factions.
The ongoing violence underscores the fragile security situation in eastern Congo and the urgent need for concerted regional efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.