Rwanda-backed rebels, known as M23, have captured two key cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mineral-rich east in less than a month. The takeover of Goma and Bukavu has raised concerns about regional warfare and sparked fears that the conflict could escalate.
The M23 rebels are mainly made up of ethnic Tutsis who failed to integrate into the Congolese army, according to U.N. experts. They claim to be defending ethnic Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan origin from discrimination, but critics say their Rwanda-backed campaign is a pretext for economic and political influence.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame accuses Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi of ignoring the concerns of Congo’s ethnic Tutsis and not following previous peace agreements. The rebels are supported by thousands of troops from neighboring Rwanda, which has led to fears of regional warfare.
The conflict has intensified after a major escalation in M23’s fighting against the overstretched and weakened Congolese forces. The rebels have had limited resistance in Bukavu, with residents reporting that Congolese forces fled as M23 fighters marched into the city.
International pressure on Rwanda has been muted, partly due to guilt over the failure to intervene in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and the country’s evolving stature under Kagame. Africa countries are largely blamed for ignoring warning signs of the conflict, with some of Congo’s allies suffering losses, including South Africa.
The international community has called for an immediate ceasefire, but not for the rebels’ withdrawal from Goma. The M23 rebels have become more emboldened by Rwanda’s support and say they will continue fighting if the Congolese military does not stop their campaign in the region.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/congo-m23-rebels-rwanda-explainer-ba862f76078ab0a4fcd24502612ab602