The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing one of the world’s most prolonged and devastating conflicts, marked by territorial disputes, ethnic rivalries, and economic interests tied to the exploitation of rare minerals. In recent days, the situation in the country has worsened with the advance of rebels over the city of Goma, a strategic point in the eastern region of the Congo.

The growing instability is alarming to the international community, as, in addition to the humanitarian implications – with thousands of displaced civilians and brutal murders – the conflict could escalate into a regional war, directly involving neighboring countries such as Rwanda and Uganda.

But what is happening in the Congo? Why are there so many armed groups in the region? And what is the role of international interests in perpetuating this war?

This week, a rebel alliance announced the capture of Goma, the second-largest city in eastern Congo and one of the country’s main commercial centers. The city’s capture represents a new setback for the Congolese government, which has struggled for years to contain insurgencies in the region without success.

The offensive was led by the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a coalition that includes the M23 armed group, one of the most active in the area. The M23, which has been sanctioned by international bodies such as the United States and the UN, has been expanding its territorial control in recent years, taking advantage of the weakness of government troops and the limited involvement of the international community.

The capture of Goma represents more than just a military victory. The city is located in a region rich in strategic minerals, such as coltan and tantalum, which are essential for the production of electronics like smartphones and computers. The M23’s control of this area could consolidate an economic model based on the exploitation and illegal trafficking of these resources, ensuring a continuous flow of funding for its military operations.

The Congolese government, in turn, has not officially recognized the loss of the city but has admitted that the rebels are present in the region and that fighting continues.

The escalation of the conflict led the Congolese government to sever diplomatic relations with Rwanda, the neighboring country accused of supporting the rebels. Authorities in Kinshasa claim that Rwanda provides weapons, military training, and even troops to the M23, enabling the group to advance into strategic territories.

The accusations against Rwanda are not new. Since the 1990s, Kigali has been seen as a key actor in the conflicts in eastern Congo. The Rwandan government, under the leadership of Paul Kagame, officially denies supporting the M23, but reports from international organizations suggest that the country has direct economic and political interests in the instability in Congo.

UN reports indicate that around 150 tons of coltan are smuggled annually from Congo to Rwanda, where they are mixed with local production and legally exported. This clandestine trade generates millions of dollars and economically strengthens the armed groups in the region.

Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo responded to the accusations by stating that Rwanda only protects its borders from threats and that the responsibility for the crisis in eastern Congo lies with the Congolese government.

Tensions between the two countries reached a new level when Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi threatened direct war against Rwanda, while Paul Kagame responded by saying that his country is “ready to fight” if necessary.

Violence in eastern Congo dates back decades and has deep roots in the region’s history. Since its independence from Belgium in 1960, Congo has faced internal conflicts driven by ethnic disputes, foreign interests, and the pursuit of control over natural resources.

The current conflict intensified in 2022 when the M23 resumed its insurgency against the Congolese government, occupying a vast area in the North Kivu province. The group is led by ethnic Tutsis, the same ethnic group that was targeted in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

The M23 claims to fight to protect the rights of the Tutsi community in Congo and accuses the Congolese government of persecution and discrimination. However, its presence in the region is associated with a series of war crimes, including the murder of civilians, forced recruitment of child soldiers, and illegal control of coltan mining.

Other rebel groups also operate in eastern Congo, including:

• Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) – a group formed by Rwandan Hutus, including some who participated in the 1994 genocide.
• Mai-Mai – local militias that defend various ethnic communities in the region.
• Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) – a jihadist group linked to ISIS, operating in eastern Congo and Uganda.

The presence of so many armed factions makes the conflict extremely complex and difficult to resolve.

The advance of the rebels has caused a true humanitarian disaster. It is estimated that more than 400,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of this year, fleeing violence in North and South Kivu.

Humanitarian organizations report that refugee camps are overcrowded, lacking adequate access to food, clean water, and medical assistance.

Rose Tchwenko, director of Mercy Corps, warned that “humanitarian access is almost impossible, resources are stretched to the limit, and displaced families are in desperate need of food, clean water, medicine, and shelter.”

The UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees) has called for urgent international aid to deal with the crisis, but the global response has been tepid.

Several peace negotiations have been attempted over the years, but none have succeeded in resolving the issue definitively.

The UN Stabilization Mission in Congo (MONUSCO) has about 11,000 peacekeepers in the region, but their efforts have been insufficient to contain the advance of armed groups.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has also sent troops to help the Congolese forces, but results have been limited.

Political analysts believe that a lasting solution will only be possible if three fundamental issues are addressed:

• Strengthening the Congolese state, so that the government can control its territory and provide security to the population.
• Ending foreign support for armed groups, particularly the alleged influence of Rwanda and Uganda in the war.
• An economic solution for illegal mining, ensuring that Congo’s natural resources benefit the population and do not fund militias.

In the meantime, eastern Congo remains mired in chaos, and the population continues to pay the price for a war that seems to have no end.