Tensions in the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) have once again intensified, as the M23 rebel group continues to expand its territory. The conflict has triggered global concern, with critics accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 in a bid to exploit DR Congo’s vast reserves of gold, cobalt, and tantalum. While the Rwandan authorities have neither confirmed nor denied these allegations, DR Congo has responded by severing diplomatic ties with its neighbour.
In a recent escalation, peacekeepers mainly from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region suffered significant casualties. Nine South African soldiers were confirmed dead as they assisted the Congolese army in defending the city of Goma, while three Malawians and one Uruguayan also lost their lives. SADC officials described the killings as a serious blow to regional stability and warned that immediate action was necessary to prevent a full-scale war.
Leaders around the world have condemned the violence. French President Emmanuel Macron appealed for restraint in phone calls with his Congolese and Rwandan counterparts, urging an immediate end to the bloodshed. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, similarly called on M23 to halt its advance and criticised any external support for the rebellion.
Angolan President João Lourenço, acting as the African Union’s mediator between Rwanda and DR Congo also voiced alarm, denouncing what he termed “irresponsible actions” by the M23 and its backers. He demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities to safeguard civilian lives.
As fighting intensifies, the United Nations has relocated non-essential staff from Goma a city of more than one million people amid fears of worsening violence. A United Nations Security Council session was convened sooner than planned to address the situation, reflecting the urgency of the crisis.
Humanitarian organisations, including Human Rights Watch, have warned of escalating risks for civilians. Over 400,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of the year, and local leaders report hundreds of casualties in areas captured by M23. Hospitals in Goma are struggling to treat large numbers of wounded, and several countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the United States, have advised their citizens to leave the area.
The M23 rebel group was formed in 2012, claiming to represent the interests of the Tutsi community in eastern DR Congo, who have long reported discrimination and persecution. However, critics accuse Rwanda of using M23 to gain access to DR Congo’s natural resources. Rwanda maintains that DR Congo collaborates with elements involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide further complicating an already fraught relationship between the two countries.
The upheaval has taken a heavy toll on communities across eastern DR Congo. Anglican Bishop Martin Gordon, based in Goma, told the BBC that local people are desperate for an end to the bloodshed, expressing hope that renewed diplomatic efforts will finally bring stability. Although numerous attempts at peace have failed in the past, the international community remains determined to resolve the crisis and avert a deeper humanitarian disaster.