The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with a deepening crisis as the M23 rebel group intensifies its campaign in the country’s mineral-rich east, displacing tens of thousands and exacerbating one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies. As of today, over 50,000 people have fled their homes due to forced conscriptions and violent clashes, with the rebels’ recent territorial gains reigniting fears of a broader regional conflict.
M23’s Rapid Advance and Forced Conscriptions
The M23, a Tutsi-led militia widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, has made significant strides in eastern DRC since late 2024. The group captured Goma, the bustling capital of North Kivu province, in late January, followed by Bukavu, the South Kivu provincial capital, in mid-February. These victories have solidified M23’s control over key economic hubs and strategic supply lines, amplifying their influence in a region rich with gold, coltan, and other minerals critical to global technology supply chains.
Reports emerging from the conflict zone paint a grim picture. Over the past week, local sources and humanitarian organizations have documented a surge in forced recruitment by M23, with the group compelling civilians—often under threat of violence—to join their ranks. “They came to our village at night, demanding young men and boys,” said a displaced resident from Masisi, speaking anonymously due to safety concerns. “Those who refused were beaten or worse. We had no choice but to run.” The United Nations estimates that this wave of displacement has pushed the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the DRC to over 6.7 million, with an additional 500,000 uprooted since the start of 2025.
Hospitals in Goma and surrounding areas are overwhelmed, struggling to treat casualties from the fighting. “We’re seeing gunshot wounds, machete injuries, and malnourished children every day,” said Dr. Marie Kavira, a medic at a Goma clinic run by Médecins Sans Frontières. “The supplies are running out, and the influx isn’t stopping.”
Rwanda’s Role and Regional Fallout
The DRC government, alongside the United States, France, and UN experts, has accused Rwanda of providing weapons, logistical support, and up to 4,000 troops to bolster M23’s operations. A December 2024 UN report detailed Rwanda’s “de facto control” over the group, citing evidence of training camps near the border and the presence of Rwandan officers at M23 ceremonies. The report also alleged that M23 smuggles approximately 120 tonnes of coltan—a key component in electronics—into Rwanda every four weeks, fueling speculation that economic motives underpin the conflict.
Rwanda’s government has consistently denied these claims, with spokesperson Yolande Makolo asserting that its troops are deployed along the border solely to prevent the conflict from spilling over. “Rwanda is being scapegoated,” Makolo told the BBC last week. “The DRC refuses to address the root causes, like the presence of the FDLR.” The FDLR, a Hutu militia linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has long been a point of contention, with Rwanda arguing it poses a security threat that justifies defensive measures.
The escalating tensions have strained diplomatic relations across the Great Lakes region. The DRC severed ties with Rwanda in January following Goma’s fall, and Burundi, which had deployed thousands of troops to assist Congolese forces, began withdrawing its forces in mid-February after suffering heavy casualties. Analysts warn that the power vacuum could embolden other armed groups, further destabilizing the region.
Humanitarian Crisis and International Response
The human toll of the conflict is staggering. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reports that between 10,000 and 15,000 Congolese have fled to Burundi in recent days, overwhelming local resources. “Many arrive exhausted, separated from their families, and with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” said UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh. Tragically, some have drowned attempting to cross the Ruzizi River.
Within the DRC, displacement camps are buckling under the pressure. In Goma, where over 400,000 IDPs were already sheltering before the latest offensive, aid operations have ground to a halt. The World Food Programme suspended food distributions last week due to insecurity, leaving families without a lifeline. “Goma was the humanitarian hub for the east,” said Rose Tchwenko, Mercy Corps’ DRC country director. “Now it’s a war zone, and we’re cut off from those who need us most.”
The international community has struggled to respond effectively. On February 21, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution condemning M23’s offensive, demanding the group withdraw from occupied territories and urging Rwanda to cease support. The resolution also called for an immediate ceasefire and the restoration of humanitarian access, but enforcement remains elusive. A regional summit hosted by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC) on February 8 appointed former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Hailemariam Desalegn to mediate peace talks, merging the stalled Nairobi and Luanda processes. Yet, with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi refusing direct negotiations with M23—labeling it a “terrorist organization”—prospects for dialogue appear dim.
A Conflict Rooted in History
The current crisis traces its origins to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, when Hutu extremists killed over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus, prompting a Tutsi-led rebellion that ended the slaughter. As perpetrators fled into eastern DRC, ethnic tensions flared, giving rise to militias like M23, which emerged in 2012 claiming to protect Congolese Tutsis from discrimination and violence. After a brief occupation of Goma that year, the group was driven out, only to resurge in 2021 amid grievances over unfulfilled peace agreements.
See Also: Rwanda Accused of Fuelling Congo Conflict
Today, M23’s ambitions appear broader. Leaders like Corinne Nangaa of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which includes M23, have hinted at plans to march on Kinshasa, 2,600 kilometers west, though analysts doubt their capacity without sustained Rwandan backing. “This isn’t just about North Kivu anymore,” said Richard Moncrief of the International Crisis Group. “It’s a power play with regional implications.”
The African Union has urged a ceasefire ahead of Ramadan, set to begin later this month, but past truces have crumbled swiftly. For the millions caught in the crossfire, the immediate future offers little hope. “We just want peace,” said a mother of three in a Goma displacement camp. “But every day, it feels further away.”