This Tuesday, January 28, the city of Goma, provincial capital of the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), fell into the hands of the Rebel M23 group. This movement has launched, for a few weeks, a series of rapid and effective attacks on Congolese territory, seizing cities and villages in front of a regular army completely overwhelmed.
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A rebellion led by the Tutsi minority
The March 23 movement (M23) was born in 2012, northeast of the DRC. Its founding members belong to the ethnic minority Tutsi and criticize the Congolese government for not having respected the peace agreements of March 23, 2009, which had ended the civil war with the rebels of the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP).
A few months after its creation, the M23 managed to seize Goma, before being driven out by the army in 2013. In 2021, the movement experienced a revival of activity and multiplied the raids as well as the attacks against the Congolese army, until the launch of this surprise offensive a few weeks ago.
The role of Rwanda
Today, the M23 controls a territory of approximately 10,000 square kilometers, along the Rwandan and Ugandan borders. This movement would be supported by Rwanda. According to a group of United Nations experts, around 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are present alongside the M23 fighters in Congolese territory.
For the Congolese government, Rwanda would seek to seize the riches of the eastern country. For his part, Kigali denies any involvement and accuses the DRC of marginalizing the Tutsi minority.
Embassies attacked
Formerly perceived as one of the most powerful and solid countries in Africa, the DRC is struggling today to watch this local revolt, undermining its position on the continent.
In Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, the Rwanda Embassy was taken by storm by demonstrators, as well as those of France, Belgium and the United States, the latter being criticized for their inaction in the face of the conflict.
