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DR Congo conflict: What is the fighting in Goma about? DR Congo's M23 conflict: What is the fighting about and is Rwanda involved?
(about 2 months later)
The mineral-rich east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been dogged by conflict for more than 30 years, since the 1994 Rwandan genocide.The mineral-rich east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been dogged by conflict for more than 30 years, since the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Numerous armed groups have competed with the central authorities for power and control of the potential fortune in this vast nation.Numerous armed groups have competed with the central authorities for power and control of the potential fortune in this vast nation.
The instability has sucked in neighbouring countries to devastating effect – notoriously in the 1990s when two huge conflicts, dubbed Africa's World Wars, resulted in the deaths of millions of people.The instability has sucked in neighbouring countries to devastating effect – notoriously in the 1990s when two huge conflicts, dubbed Africa's World Wars, resulted in the deaths of millions of people.
An upsurge in the conflict since the beginning of this year which saw major advances by a rebel group known as the M23 has renewed attention on the region. Fighting escalated again earlier this year when a rebel group known as the M23 made major advances across the east. At the end of June, the US brokered a peace deal in an attempt to halt the conflict.
What has the M23 done?What has the M23 done?
After the M23 captured a number of key cities and towns, talk of a peace deal is now in the air. In a rapid advance, the M23 captured a number of key cities and towns.
The group's first major advance was at the end of January with the taking of Goma – a city in North Kivu province that is home to more than a million people. The group's first major coup was at the end of January with the taking of Goma – a city in North Kivu province that is home to more than a million people.
Sitting on the border with Rwanda and the shores of Lake Kivu, Goma is a vital trading and transport hub that is within reach of mining towns supplying metals and minerals in high demand.Sitting on the border with Rwanda and the shores of Lake Kivu, Goma is a vital trading and transport hub that is within reach of mining towns supplying metals and minerals in high demand.
In February, the M23 also seized another important city in the region, South Kivu provincial capital Bukavu.In February, the M23 also seized another important city in the region, South Kivu provincial capital Bukavu.
Fighting between the M23 and the Congolese army and allied militia has continued in the region as the rebels attempt to expand their territory.Fighting between the M23 and the Congolese army and allied militia has continued in the region as the rebels attempt to expand their territory.
At one point, they threatened to target the nation's capital, Kinshasa - a city 2,600km (1,600 miles) away, on the other side of this vast country. Thousands of people have been killed in the conflict, while many more have been forced from their homes.
At one point, the M23 threatened to target the nation's capital, Kinshasa - a city 2,600km (1,600 miles) away, on the other side of this vast country.
Who are the M23?Who are the M23?
The M23 is led by ethnic Tutsis, who say they needed to take up arms to protect the rights of the minority group.The M23 is led by ethnic Tutsis, who say they needed to take up arms to protect the rights of the minority group.
They say that several previous deals to end decades of fighting in the region have not been respected - they take their name from a peace agreement that was signed with a previous Tutsi-led rebel group on 23 March 2009.They say that several previous deals to end decades of fighting in the region have not been respected - they take their name from a peace agreement that was signed with a previous Tutsi-led rebel group on 23 March 2009.
Shortly after its creation in 2012, the M23 rapidly gained territory and seized Goma – acts that were met with international opprobrium and accusations of war crimes and human rights violations.Shortly after its creation in 2012, the M23 rapidly gained territory and seized Goma – acts that were met with international opprobrium and accusations of war crimes and human rights violations.
It was forced to withdraw from Goma, and then suffered a series of heavy defeats at the hands of the Congolese army along with a UN force that saw it expelled from the country.It was forced to withdraw from Goma, and then suffered a series of heavy defeats at the hands of the Congolese army along with a UN force that saw it expelled from the country.
M23 fighters then agreed to be integrated into the army in return for promises that Tutsis would be protected.M23 fighters then agreed to be integrated into the army in return for promises that Tutsis would be protected.
But, in 2021, the group took up arms again, saying the promises had been broken.But, in 2021, the group took up arms again, saying the promises had been broken.
Is Rwanda involved in the fighting?Is Rwanda involved in the fighting?
M23 leader Sultani Makenga is a Congolese Tutsi who previously fought in the Rwandan army. On 27 June, DR Congo signed a peace deal in Washington in an attempt to halt the conflict.
The agreement was signed not with the M23 - whose armed forces have occupied huge areas of the region - but with Rwanda, DR Congo's neighbour.
There is overwhelming evidence that Rwanda is backing the M23.
Last year a group of UN experts said that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were fighting alongside the rebels. They also said the Rwandan army was in "de facto control of M23 operations".
DR Congo, US, the UK and France also say Rwanda is supporting the M23.
While M23 leader Sultani Makenga is a Congolese Tutsi who previously fought in the Rwandan army.
Who is Sultani Makenga?Who is Sultani Makenga?
Rwanda has in the past consistently denied that it supported the M23, but ever since 2012 UN experts have accused it of providing weapons, logistical support and even ultimately commanding the rebels. The government in Rwanda's capital, Kigali, denies providing financial or military support to the M23. They say they have taken defensive measures to protect Rwandan territory.
DR Congo's government, as well as the US and France, have also identified Rwanda as backing the group. Last year, a UN experts report said that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were fighting alongside the M23. The UK suspended some aid to Rwanda accusing its army of supporting the rebels. By signing the Washington peace deal, it become even more difficult for Rwanda to deny that it is involved in the conflict.
In February, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told the BBC that the country's troops were deployed along its border to prevent the conflict spilling over to its territory. The evidence that shows Rwanda is backing rebels in DR Congo
Rwanda previously said it was being scapegoated and blamed the recent fighting on the Congolese authorities, saying they had refused to enter into a dialogue with the M23.
What is the connection with Rwanda?What is the connection with Rwanda?
The origin of the current fighting can partly be traced back to the genocide in Rwanda in 1994.The origin of the current fighting can partly be traced back to the genocide in Rwanda in 1994.
About 800,000 people – mostly from the Tutsi community - were slaughtered by ethnic Hutu extremists.About 800,000 people – mostly from the Tutsi community - were slaughtered by ethnic Hutu extremists.
The genocide ended with the advance of a force of Tutsi-led rebels commanded by Paul Kagame, who is now president.The genocide ended with the advance of a force of Tutsi-led rebels commanded by Paul Kagame, who is now president.
Fearing reprisals, an estimated one million Hutus then fled across the border to what is now DR Congo. This stoked ethnic tensions as a marginalised Tutsi group in the east – the Banyamulenge – felt increasingly under threat.Fearing reprisals, an estimated one million Hutus then fled across the border to what is now DR Congo. This stoked ethnic tensions as a marginalised Tutsi group in the east – the Banyamulenge – felt increasingly under threat.
Rwanda's army twice invaded DR Congo, saying it was going after some of those responsible for the genocide, and worked with members of the Banyamulenge and other armed groups.Rwanda's army twice invaded DR Congo, saying it was going after some of those responsible for the genocide, and worked with members of the Banyamulenge and other armed groups.
After 30 years of conflict, one of the Hutu groups, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which includes some of those responsible for the Rwandan genocide, is still active in eastern DR Congo.After 30 years of conflict, one of the Hutu groups, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which includes some of those responsible for the Rwandan genocide, is still active in eastern DR Congo.
Rwanda describes the FDLR as a "genocidal militia" and says its continued existence in the DR Congo's east threatens its own territory. The Rwandan spokesperson said the FDLR wanted to return to Rwanda to "finish the job". Rwanda describes the FDLR as a "genocidal militia" and says its continued existence in the DR Congo's east threatens its own territory. In February, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told the BBC the FDLR wanted to return to Rwanda to "finish the job", and this is why Rwanda had to defend its territory.
Rwanda accuses the Congolese authorities of working with the FDLR - accusations which DR Congo denies. It is unlikely to stay out of DR Congo unless it is satisfied that the FDLR is no longer a threat to itself, or to the Tutsi communities in eastern DR Congo. Rwanda accuses the Congolese authorities of working with the FDLR.
The evidence that shows Rwanda is backing rebels in DR Congo DR Congo denies this, but in the recent peace deal, both sides agreed to ending "state support" for the FDLR. The agreement also says the group should be neutralised and Rwanda should row back on its "defensive measure".
What of the moves towards peace in DR Congo? What does the DR Congo peace deal say?
In recent weeks, there have been rapid developments towards finding a solution to the conflict after months of frustration as efforts, led by Angola, to broker a sustainable ceasefire kept on breaking down. The agreement drawn up by the US hopes to succeed where multiple others have failed.
18 March - Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Kagame called for an "immediate ceasefire" after having direct talks in Qatar The deal demands that:
23 April - DR Congo and the M23 agreed to halt fighting in the east until Qatar-mediated peace talks reach their "conclusion" Rwanda "disengage" its forces
25 April - DR Congo and Rwanda signed an agreement in Washington to respect each other's sovereignty and come up with a draft peace deal. Both countries refrain from supporting armed groups and instead facilitate their "disengagement, disarmament and integration"
Despite these agreements there were reports that fighting was continuing in the east with the M23 taking more villages in South Kivu province. Both countries refrain from acts of aggression
Nevertheless, the US, with an eye on striking mineral deals with both countries, is urging DR Congo and Rwanda to sign a deal by July. However, the absence from the deal of the M23 - the most prominent armed group in the conflict - has drawn criticism.
Many have also noted that the agreement does not state whether the M23 will withdraw from all the territory in eastern DR Congo that it now occupies.
Although the M23 did not sign the Washington deal, they are engaged in separate peace talks with the Congolese government, mediated by Qatar.
The deal signed in Washington also has an economic dimension - that potentially grants the US lucrative access to the region's mineral wealth.
Rwanda and DR Congo should work to "expand foreign trade and investment" in "critical mineral supply chains", the agreement says.
The government in Kinshasa reportedly offered the US access to critical minerals in exchange for security guarantees earlier this year after losing territory to the M23.
What about Congo's mineral wealth?What about Congo's mineral wealth?
DR Congo and multiple UN reports have accused Rwanda of using the conflict as a way of looting Congolese minerals, such as gold and coltan, which is used to make mobile phones and other electronic items such as cameras and inside cars.DR Congo and multiple UN reports have accused Rwanda of using the conflict as a way of looting Congolese minerals, such as gold and coltan, which is used to make mobile phones and other electronic items such as cameras and inside cars.
In recent years, the M23 has seized several lucrative mining areas and a report by UN experts last December said that around 120 tonnes of coltan was being sent by the M23 to Rwanda every four weeks.In recent years, the M23 has seized several lucrative mining areas and a report by UN experts last December said that around 120 tonnes of coltan was being sent by the M23 to Rwanda every four weeks.
Rwanda has consistently denied allegations of exploiting DR Congo's minerals.Rwanda has consistently denied allegations of exploiting DR Congo's minerals.
Your phone, a rare metal and the war in DR CongoYour phone, a rare metal and the war in DR Congo
Meanwhile, the Congolese government is negotiating a minerals deal with the US with the hope that it could help quell the violence. The US is also aiming to make a similar deal with Rwanda, President Donald Trump's senior advisor for Africa Massad Boulos told the Reuters news agency.
Is Trump mulling a minerals deal with conflict-hit DR Congo?Is Trump mulling a minerals deal with conflict-hit DR Congo?
What are the UN peacekeepers doing?What are the UN peacekeepers doing?
A UN peacekeeping mission has been in place since 1999. The current force – known as Monusco – is made up of more than 10,000 troops.A UN peacekeeping mission has been in place since 1999. The current force – known as Monusco – is made up of more than 10,000 troops.
However, of these, only the Force Intervention Brigade is allowed to carry out offensive operations against armed groups. It was this force that helped defeat the M23 in 2013.However, of these, only the Force Intervention Brigade is allowed to carry out offensive operations against armed groups. It was this force that helped defeat the M23 in 2013.
Monusco has been the target of anger from ordinary Congolese who see it as failing to do its job. President Tshisekedi, deeming the mission a failure, had asked it to leave by the end of last year.Monusco has been the target of anger from ordinary Congolese who see it as failing to do its job. President Tshisekedi, deeming the mission a failure, had asked it to leave by the end of last year.
But the departure was delayed and in December the mission was extended for another year.But the departure was delayed and in December the mission was extended for another year.
A military force from Southern African Development Community (Sadc), a regional grouping of 16 countries, that was deployed in late 2023 began withdrawing at the end of April.A military force from Southern African Development Community (Sadc), a regional grouping of 16 countries, that was deployed in late 2023 began withdrawing at the end of April.
It had failed to halt the M23 advance and in March its mission was terminated.It had failed to halt the M23 advance and in March its mission was terminated.
This came after 14 South African soldiers were killed in January, along with several more from Malawi and Tanzania.This came after 14 South African soldiers were killed in January, along with several more from Malawi and Tanzania.
More about the conflict in DR Congo:More about the conflict in DR Congo:
DR Congo's failed gamble on Romanian mercenariesDR Congo's failed gamble on Romanian mercenaries
Why TikTokers are quitting vapes over DR CongoWhy TikTokers are quitting vapes over DR Congo
A quick guide to DR CongoA quick guide to DR Congo
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
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