In the restive eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a rebel group known as the M23 controls a lucrative mining area. The area, located in Rubaya, holds reserves of a key mineral used in the manufacture of smartphones and computers. Bintou Keita, head of the UN mission in the DRC, revealed that the M23 generates about $300,000 a month from this illegal mining.
The conflict in eastern DRC is one of the longest and most devastating in recent history. More than 120 armed groups are fighting for power, land and valuable mineral resources, while others are trying to protect their communities. The fighting has displaced more than 6 million people in the region.
The M23, made up mainly of Tutsi, broke away from the Congolese army more than a decade ago to form a rebel group. In 2012, they launched a major offensive and took control of the provincial capital of Goma, near the border with Rwanda, the same city they are now threatening again.
Allegations that Rwanda is supporting the M23 have sparked a backlash and increased tensions between the two countries. Rwanda denies any involvement in war crimes in eastern DRC, but admitted last February that it had troops and missile systems in the region to secure its borders, in response to a build-up of Congolese forces near the border.
Last month, UN experts estimated that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops are deployed alongside the M23 in the DRC, a significant escalation of the conflict. An East African regional court has opened proceedings into the DRC’s claim that Rwanda violated its sovereignty by sending troops to aid the rebels in the east of the country.
This complex situation highlights once again the major security and political challenges facing the region. They also underline the importance of putting in place international mechanisms to prevent the illegal trade in minerals and support peace and stability efforts in eastern DRC.