The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has intensified as the M23 armed group, backed by Rwanda’s Defense Forces (RDF), has advanced rapidly into the North and South Kivu provinces. The group has seized control of Goma, a key trade hub with a population exceeding two million, as well as Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu. As the fights persist, the humanitarian crisis in the Congo worsens.
The ongoing violence has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands, deepening the country’s instability. Civilians are suffering from critical shortages of food and water, and overwhelmed hospitals are struggling to meet the growing demand for medical care. Additionally, reports indicate an increasing use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Humanitarian corridors have been obstructed, and the movement of UN personnel has been restricted, leading to a rise in civilian casualties.
The human rights situation has deteriorated significantly, with documented cases of forced recruitment, looting of displacement sites, and violent searches of hospitals and homes.
Aden Kao, an ERHS senior, says, “I haven’t heard about the conflict in the Congo.”
“Conflicts like the one in Ukraine have a ton of coverage so more people know about it. I think if this had more coverage, the news would be widespread and everyone would be worrying about it.”
The M23 armed group first emerged in 2012 amid heightened regional tensions, with support from the RDF. The group has been accused of committing war crimes, including killings, sexual violence, abductions, and forced displacement, leading to UN sanctions.
Initially repelled in 2013 by the DRC’s national army, the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO), and international pressure on Rwanda, the M23 resurfaced in 2021 as regional tensions reignited. Since then, they have progressively taken control of territories in eastern DRC, establishing parallel administrations, imposing taxes on local populations, and engaging in mass killings and sexual violence.
The M23’s resurgence has also intensified the militarization of mining sites in the eastern DRC, a region rich in natural resources essential for electronic devices such as cell phones and electric cars.
The UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, is actively working to protect vulnerable populations and unarmed Congolese defense forces from receiving daily requests for protection from individuals at risk of reprisals by the M23.
MONUSCO is also engaged in demining efforts and the protection of journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society members. However, the M23 has significantly restricted MONUSCO’s movement, hampering its ability to fulfill its mission effectively.
Other UN agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the UN Aid Coordination Office (OCHA), are working to provide life-saving assistance, but continued fighting has made access to affected areas increasingly difficult.
Western powers have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 through arms supplies and RDF backing—allegations that Rwanda denies. The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwandan Minister of State for Regional Integration James Kabarebe, citing his central role in supporting the M23. Additionally, M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka and two companies he controls in the UK and France have also been sanctioned.
The United Kingdom has warned Rwanda of potential consequences for its alleged involvement in the conflict, while the DRC has welcomed the US sanctions and urged the international community to impose stronger measures to force Rwanda’s withdrawal.
YouTube user @jitennchaudhary9665 says, “This is terrible to see that innocents are getting killed while the responsible for those acts are roaming free.”
Speaking at a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Rwanda’s actions as a “blatant breach of the UN Charter” that risks escalating into a regional conflict. Meanwhile, China has reiterated its support for African-led solutions and non-interference in internal affairs.
