- The rebels of the M23 are back, stronger than before with advanced weapons and well-planned attacks, and have overrun government forces, and captured towns and villages, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
- Many believe that Rwanda is truly interested in Congo’s other rich mineral deposits, such as cobalt, gold, and coltan, on which making smartphones, electric cars, and military equipment relies.
- While politicians and warlords fight for power, ordinary Congolese suffer the most with nearly 6.9 million currently displaced and living in overcrowded refugee camps with little food, water, or medical aid.
For decades now, the DRC has proven to be an area of long-enduring armed conflict. After its early presentation as a potential land of abundance and prosperity for a whole variety of people to grow and blossom within, such a country is no more than remembered today for being at war with, displacing and suffering so much. Of course, amid the chaos brought about, by the revival of the most terrible M23 rebels, death, and terror spread again among eastern regions. The recent fall of Goma, a strategic city in North Kivu, to M23 forces, has left thousands homeless, children orphaned, and families shattered.
For many Congolese, M23 is a name that brings back painful memories. Formed in 2012, the group was initially made up of former soldiers who claimed they were fighting for the rights of the Tutsi community in the DRC. However, their real aim became clear over time—they wanted power, territory, and control over the region’s rich natural resources. In 2013, the Congolese army, with international support, defeated M23, forcing them to flee. But a decade later, they are back, stronger than before. With advanced weapons and well-planned attacks, they have overrun government forces, capturing towns and villages, and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
The Hidden Hands Behind the Conflict
This war is not just about rebels and soldiers—it is about international politics, hidden agendas, and the fight for Congo’s vast mineral wealth. Reports indicate that Rwanda has been supporting M23, arming them, training them, and funding them. Why? Rwanda claims it is protecting itself from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group hiding in eastern Congo that has ties to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. However, many believe that Rwanda is truly interested in Congo’s other rich mineral deposits, such as cobalt, gold, and coltan, on which making smartphones, electric cars, and military equipment relies. Rwanda has denied any involvement; evidence continues to add up.
There are further reports of USA involvement in the whole saga as it indirectly supports Rwanda with monetary support which Rwanda later used to support the M23 rebels, the support also goes in the military domain.
Why Congo Matters to the World
While the people of Congo suffer, the world turns a blind eye. Yet, this country is crucial to the global economy and security.
– Cobalt and Coltan: These minerals are essential for electronics, from smartphones to electric vehicles. The DRC produces over 70% of the world’s cobalt**, making it one of the most valuable but also most exploited regions on Earth.
– Strategic Location: This landlocked country borders **nine others, making the entire region dependent on its economic and security stability. If the DRC fell, all else would have fallen with it.
– History of Global Exploitation: Be it Belgian colonialism or multinational exploitation, the DRC has been one of the pit stops for peoples’ predators: all who feed off the richness of this land and all its lovely people.
The People Caught in the Crossfire
While politicians and warlords fight for power, ordinary Congolese suffer the most. Some 6.9 million are currently displaced and live in overcrowded refugee camps with little food, water, or medical aid. The biggest victims of this war are women and children, who experience violence, sexual assault, and forced recruitment into armed groups.
– Entire villages have been burned to the ground, leaving people with nowhere to go, no homes, no schools, and no hope.
The Quest for Peace
Regional leaders have demanded negotiations, but history has proven that negotiations often fail. M23 has made promises of ceasefires in the past, and trust is a scarce commodity. International organizations, including the United Nations, are trying to pressure Rwanda and other parties involved, but without stronger action, the war will continue. The world needs to do more than just watch by helping the displaced people and helping them with humanitarian needs.
It’s not a regular African war-it is more a human drama occurring right in our faces. The Congolese people deserve peace and security as much as they are granted the ability to create their future beyond any form of violence and exploitation.
References:
- https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/violence-democratic-republic-congo
- https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/leaders-eastern-southern-african-blocs-seek-solutions-congo-conflict-2025-02-08/
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/27/who-are-m23-rebels-fighting-in-eastern-drc-congo
- https://apnews.com/article/cd4afd79b7d88c8bfafdfaffaa0bd818
- https://apnews.com/article/4ef15dbf58c390f7ed3bc9539d13f67a
Aayush Pal is a freelance writer on contemporary geopolitical developments. The views expressed in his work are entirely his own.
Satish Chogule 
Shashank Pandey