Eastern Congo is in crisis as M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, have killed more than 7,000 people this year and seized strategic cities, intensifying fears of a broader regional conflict.
Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Congo’s prime minister, told the U.N. Human Rights Council on Monday that the humanitarian and security situation in the region has reached “alarming levels.” The conflict escalated sharply in recent weeks as M23 forces took Goma in January and seized Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, over the weekend.
The rapid advance of M23, one of nearly 100 armed groups in eastern Congo, underscores the instability in a region rich in minerals crucial for global technology. The rebels have vowed to cleanse cities of “bad governance and insecurity,” threatening further incursions despite international calls for a ceasefire.
A Crisis Decades in the Making
Eastern Congo has endured chronic unrest for decades, with millions displaced by armed groups vying for control of its vast mineral wealth. The United Nations has warned of a wider regional threat as M23, allegedly supported by about 4,000 Rwandan troops, pushes deeper into Congolese territory.
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“The situation is deteriorating by the day,” said a U.N. official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We could be witnessing the prelude to another major African war.”
M23 leaders claim they are fighting to protect ethnic Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan descent from discrimination. However, analysts argue the group serves as a proxy for Rwandan interests in the region, seeking greater control over Congo’s lucrative mineral resources.
Escalating Violence and Civilian Toll
Residents in Goma report that M23’s intelligence units have begun targeting former Congolese soldiers and suspected criminals. However, misidentifications have led to tragic consequences. Witnesses say at least 11 young men were executed on Sunday while waiting for a weightlifting class after being wrongly accused of theft.
As fighting nears the city of Uriva, where gunfire was reported over the weekend, fears of further civilian casualties grow. The Congolese government continues to call for international intervention, but with the rebels emboldened and regional tensions rising, a resolution remains elusive.
