The Congolese government recently accused the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group of carrying out a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” in the east of the country. Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani denounced the “massive arrival of foreign populations” in the Rutshuru and Masisi territories in North Kivu province, where local residents have reportedly been “expelled by violence.” He said such actions constitute a form of ethnic cleansing.
Tensions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo remain high, with more than 100 armed groups battling for control of mineral-rich regions near the Rwandan border. The M23 rebel group, mainly composed of Tutsis who deserted the Congolese army a decade ago, is at the center of this conflict. In 2012, M23 fighters took control of Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, which borders Rwanda.
The Congolese government claims that Rwanda is involved in war crimes in the east of the country. U.S. and U.N. experts accuse Rwanda of providing military support to the M23. Although Rwanda denies the allegations, it recently admitted to having troops and missile systems in eastern Congo for its own security, in response to a Congolese force buildup near the border. U.N. experts estimate that there are as many as 4,000 Rwandan troops in the DRC.
Despite a U.S.- and Angola-brokered ceasefire in July, fighting between Rwandan and Congolese forces continues. Fighting between the M23 and other militias also persists, putting the lives of millions of displaced people at risk and creating one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with more than 7 million displaced, many beyond the reach of humanitarian assistance.
In August, clashes between rebels and pro-government militias claimed the lives of 16 villagers, violating the ceasefire. The situation remains precarious in eastern DRC, and a lasting resolution to the conflict appears far off.