### DRC and Rwanda: a conflict of trust and truth
On March 1, 2024, the rebel group M23 held a surprising press conference, where he presented fourteen men disguised as Congolese soldiers, which he claimed to be combatants from the Rwanda Liberation Democratic Forces (FDLR). This fact immediately aroused tensions, not only between the actors present, but also on a regional scale, putting a war of communication and propaganda on the spotlight which serves as a backdrop for a brutal and complex armed conflict.
#### A conflict anchored in history
The history of the FDLR and the M23 is deeply rooted in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, causing dramatic displacements of populations and the emergence of tensions which still persist today. The FDLR, made up of former Hutus soldiers who fled Rwanda after the genocide, conducted violent operations in the east of the DRC. This dynamic is accentuated by the reciprocal accusation of support between rebel forces and neighboring states – here between Rwanda and Congo.
The fact that the M23 accuses the FDLRs of operating under the flag of the Congolese army reflects a manipulation of perceptions which is played as much in the field as in the media space. The FARDC, for their part, return with counter-accusation while emphasizing the media manufacturing orchestrated by Rwanda. This manipulation game is symptomatic of how information is used as a weapon in the context of armed conflicts.
### Double tracing propaganda
Beyond the simple accusations, the March 1 meeting raises the question of the veracity of testimonies and the credibility of propaganda. The Congolese army reported that some of the men presented by the M23 had already been seen in the GDR, thus suggesting a deliberate orchestration of a famous staging in order to further destabilize the DRC.
This use of disinformation recalls the psychological war strategies observed during other armed conflicts around the world. Analyzing similar cases, we can see that false narrations have often had catastrophic consequences, exacerbating ethnic tensions and fueling violence.
#### Statistics and repercussions
The last UN report on the situation in the DRC indicates that the number of people displaced because of the armed conflict in the east of the country has reached almost 6 million in recent years. The intensification of fighting between M23 and FARDC has also led to an increase in human rights violations, with alarming statistics concerning the number of affected civilians.
Tensions between the DRC and Rwanda bring an additional dimension to this humanitarian crisis. The displaced, often taken between the front lines, are likely to suffer from demographic, socio-economic and health consequences.
### The invisible work of diplomacy
In this suspicion and conflict environment, the role of diplomacy is of capital importance. The published talks, who are trying to bring the two countries closer, must go beyond simple concessions and formal agreements. They must involve local authorities and civil society actors to ensure that any resolution is not a simple layer of varnish, but a step towards lasting peace.
The intervention of the African Union and the UN remains crucial, but their effectiveness depends on their ability to act on confidence issues. The creation of mechanisms of truth and reconciliation could help to disentangle the stories surrounding violence in the region, but it would require a firm commitment on the part of the two states.
#### Conclusion
In the end, this March 1 incident illustrates much more than a balance of power between the M23 and the FARDC. It is a microcosm of complex dynamics that govern security, political and historical relations in this region plagued by immeasurable suffering. The real challenge lies in the ability of leaders to transform this verbal battlefield into common ground to end an endless violence cycle. For the Congolese people, the war of stories is not only a question of military power; This is a question of survival and humanity. Beyond weapons, these are the stories that we choose to tell that will determine our collective future.