M23 Resurgence Fuels Conflict in Eastern DRC

The M23 rebel group’s return to conflict has displaced over 1.2 million people in eastern Congo, while regional instability threatens to spill over into neighbouring countries.

A fresh outbreak of conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has refocused attention on the March 23 Movement (M23), a rebel group active in North Kivu. The DRC accuses neighbouring Rwanda of backing the group—claims Rwanda denies, insisting its actions are defensive against hostile elements based in Congo. The fighting has triggered mass civilian displacement and growing international concern over regional stability and humanitarian conditions.

The M23 rebel group was formed in 2012 by former members of the Tutsi-led CNDP militia, integrated into the Congolese army after a 2009 peace deal. They mutinied, citing the government’s failure to honour the agreement.

The group briefly seized Goma, North Kivu’s capital, before its 2013 defeat. Many fighters fled to Uganda and Rwanda. It resumed operations in eastern Congo in late 2021.

M23’s resurgence mirrors long-standing regional tensions. Since Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, eastern Congo has hosted armed groups like the Interahamwe and FDLR, seen by Rwanda as threats. Kigali accuses the DRC of harbouring them, while Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of backing M23.

The Resurgence of Violence

Since late 2021, M23 has expanded its hold in North Kivu—seizing towns, displacing civilians, and clashing with the Congolese army. Improved tactics and weaponry have raised suspicions of foreign backing.

By 2024–25, M23 had advanced close to Goma and Bukavu. The DRC repeatedly accused Rwanda of military and logistical support—claims echoed by a June 2024 UN report citing credible evidence of Rwandan troops aiding M23.

Rwanda denies the charges, claiming self-defence due to the DRC’s failure to disarm Hutu militias like the FDLR, which it sees as a threat. Kinshasa calls Rwanda’s actions a breach of sovereignty, as tensions heighten the risk of open conflict.

Humanitarian Crisis

The human toll has been severe. Over 1.2 million people have been displaced since M23 resumed hostilities. Many have fled to overcrowded camps near Goma, where conditions are dire—families lack shelter, food, and clean water.

Fighting has blocked or compromised humanitarian corridors. Schools and hospitals lie destroyed or abandoned. Cholera and malaria outbreaks are rising. The UN warns of a looming catastrophe if the crisis worsens.

Regional and International Response

The conflict has sent shockwaves across the region. Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania have voiced their concerns over the fighting and risk of spillover. In 2023, the East African Community deployed a regional force, but poor coordination, conflicting national interests, and weak political support undermined the mission. By early 2025, the force began withdrawing.

Diplomatic efforts have also faltered. The Luanda process (led by Angola) and the Nairobi talks (backed by the African Union) sought to mediate between the DRC and Rwanda but achieved little, with ceasefires often collapsing.

The United States has condemned Rwanda’s alleged role and urged its withdrawal from Congolese territory. Simultaneously, Washington is negotiating a minerals deal with the DRC to reduce reliance on Chinese cobalt and lithium which are critical for electric vehicles and renewable tech and abundant in eastern Congo.

India also has stakes in the region. A long-time contributor to UN peacekeeping in the DRC, it has expanding interests in Africa. The instability threatens India’s engagement, particularly in mining, infrastructure, and development sectors.

Geopolitical Stakes

Eastern Congo is among the world’s most mineral-rich regions, with vast reserves of cobalt, coltan, gold, and tantalum—vital for smartphones, electric vehicles, and electronics. Control over these resources fuels conflict, with armed groups, both domestic and foreign-backed, profiting from illicit mining and trade.

Beyond resource exploitation, the crisis exposes the weakness of regional institutions and the limits of global diplomacy. Despite decades of aid, international engagement, and the presence of the world’s largest UN peacekeeping mission, the DRC remains unstable. The return of M23 and Rwanda’s alleged role highlight unresolved grievances and governance failures.

This is not merely a local insurgency but a regional crisis with global consequences. M23’s resurgence has displaced over a million people, destabilised borders, and revived fears of war between neighbours. With credible reports of foreign involvement, the conflict risks escalating beyond current diplomatic control.

Yet global response remains limited. Regional peace efforts continue, but their impact is uncertain. A lasting resolution needs sustained diplomacy, regional cooperation, and real investment in Congo’s institutions. The conflict’s direction hinges on ceasefire enforcement, disarmament, and political will across the region.

(The author is a foreign affairs expert. Views personal.)