In January 2025, the M23 armed group, accompanied by Rwandan soldiers, entered Goma, a key city in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), say media reports. The move follows weeks of advances by M23, a major escalation in the conflict within the mineral-rich but conflict-ridden eastern DRC.
About M23:
- Formed in 2012 by former fighters of the CNDP (National Congress for the Defence of the People) who rebelled against the Congolese government.
- Named after the March 23, 2009 peace agreement, which it claims the government failed to honor.
- Key grievances include:
- Lack of integration of Tutsi fighters into the DRC’s national army (FARDC).
- Failure to protect minorities and fairly distribute resources.
- Key grievances include:
- Composition:
- Primarily composed of Tutsi fighters.
- Claims to advocate for the rights of the Congolese Tutsi minority and other vulnerable groups.
- Objective:
- Protect the Tutsi minority from Hutu rebel groups who fled to the DRC after the 1994 Rwandan genocide, where Tutsis were targeted.
Regional Tensions:
- Rwanda has been accused by the DRC and international observers of backing M23, though Rwanda denies these allegations.
- Cross-border dynamics, including the fallout from the Rwandan genocide, continue to influence the conflict.
(Source: The Guardian)
