What is the DR Congo Crisis about?

About the DR Congo Crisis, over the years, various armed groups have vied for power and control over the wealth of the vast Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The eastern part of the country is rich in natural minerals but has faced ongoing conflict for more than 30 years, stemming from the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

This instability has affected neighboring countries and devastated the region, particularly during the 1990s when two major conflicts, often referred to as Africa’s World Wars, led to millions of deaths.

The M23 Fighters

M23 Rebel Fighters

The M23 fighters are a group led by ethnic Tutsis, who claim they armed themselves to protect the rights of their minority group. The name “M23” refers to a peace agreement signed on March 23, 2009, which they assert has not been respected in several past ceasefire deals.

Shortly after its formation in 2012, M23 rapidly gained territory, capturing the city of Goma. These actions drew widespread international condemnation, along with accusations of war crimes and human rights violations. Eventually, M23 was forced to retreat from Goma and suffered significant defeats at the hands of the Congolese army supported by a UN force, leading to their expulsion from the country.

The M23 fighters then agreed to integrate into the Congolese army in exchange for guarantees to protect Tutsis. However, in 2021, they resumed armed conflict, claiming that those promises had been broken.

Fighting in Goma

Following a swift advance, M23 fighters have captured nearly all of Goma, a major city with over a million residents in eastern DR Congo. Located on the border with Rwanda and beside Lake Kivu, Goma serves as a vital trading and transportation hub, within reach of mining towns that supply high-demand metals and minerals such as gold, tin, and coltan, a key ingredient in mobile phones and other electronics.

UN aid agencies have warned of an impending humanitarian crisis, citing severe food and water shortages, overwhelmed hospitals, and bodies lying in the streets.

The M23 has also threatened to advance toward the capital, Kinshasa, although analysts consider this unlikely due to the distance of approximately 2,600 kilometers (1,600 miles) across the expansive country.

Rwanda’s Involvement in the Fighting

Sultani Makenga, the leader of the M23 fighters, is a Congolese Tutsi who previously served in the Rwandan army. While Rwanda has consistently denied supporting M23, UN experts have accused it of providing weapons, logistical support, and even commanding the rebels since 2012. The DR Congo government, along with the US and France, has also identified Rwanda as a supporter of the group. A UN experts report last year claimed that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were fighting alongside M23.

On Friday, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo stated in an interview with the BBC that Rwandan troops have been deployed along the border to prevent the conflict from spilling into their territory. Rwanda has accused the Congolese authorities of refusing to engage in dialogue with M23, claiming that the recent fighting is a result of these tensions.

A peace process mediated by Angola, which involved Rwanda and DR Congo, led to a ceasefire agreement last year; however, that agreement quickly fell apart, and fighting resumed.

Connection with the Rwanda 1994 Genocide

The origins of the current fighting can partly be traced back to the genocide in Rwanda in 1994.

Approximately 800,000 people, predominantly from the Tutsi community, were killed by extremist Hutu militia. The genocide ended with the advance of Tutsi-led rebels, commanded by Paul Kagame, who is now the president of Rwanda.

Fearing reprisals, an estimated one million Hutus fled across the border to what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). This exacerbated ethnic tensions, particularly affecting the marginalized Tutsi group in the east known as the Banyamulenge, who increasingly felt threatened.

Rwanda’s army invaded DR Congo twice, claiming to pursue individuals responsible for the genocide, and collaborated with members of the Banyamulenge and other armed groups.

After 30 years of conflict, one of the Hutu armed factions, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which includes some individuals responsible for the Rwandan genocide, is still active in eastern DR Congo.

Rwanda refers to the FDLR as a “genocidal militia” and asserts that its continued presence in eastern DR Congo threatens Rwandan territory. A Rwandan spokesperson mentioned that they wanted to return to Rwanda to “finish the job.” Rwanda has accused the Congolese authorities of collaborating with the FDLR, which the DR Congo government denies.

Rwanda is unlikely to remain disengaged from DR Congo unless it is assured that the FDLR is no longer a threat to itself or to Tutsi communities in eastern DR Congo.

Rwanda and Congo’s Mineral Wealth

The DR Congo, along with multiple UN reports, has accused Rwanda of using the conflict as a pretext to loot Congolese minerals, such as gold and coltan. Coltan, a vital resource for the production of mobile phones and other electronics, has been a significant target.

In recent years, the M23 rebel group has seized several lucrative mining areas. A report by UN experts in December stated that around 120 tonnes of coltan were being sent from the M23 to Rwanda every four weeks. They also observed a significant increase in Rwanda’s mineral exports in recent years, most of which is believed to originate from DR Congo.

Rwanda has consistently denied allegations of exploiting DR Congo’s mineral resources.

What Are the UN Peacekeepers Doing?

A UN peacekeeping mission has been in place since 1999, with the current force, known as MONUSCO, consisting of over 10,000 troops. However, only the Force Intervention Brigade within this mission is allowed to carry out offensive operations against armed groups. This brigade helped to defeat the M23 in 2013.

MONUSCO has faced criticism from Congolese citizens who feel it is failing to fulfill its mandate. President Félix Tshisekedi deemed the mission a failure and requested its departure by the end of the previous year. However, the withdrawal was delayed, and in December, the mission was extended for another year.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional alliance of 16 countries, has also deployed a military force to eastern DR Congo, but it has been ineffective in stopping the rebels.

South Africa reported that 13 of its soldiers were killed in clashes while attempting to halt the advance towards Goma. Three Malawian soldiers also lost their lives. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa warned Rwanda that further attacks on its troops would be regarded as a “declaration of war.”

In response, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame accused South Africa of being part of a “belligerent force” engaged in “offensive combat operations.” The UN has reported that Uruguay lost one of its soldiers serving in the MONUSCO force.

Coltan Trade and Conflict in DR Congo

Coltan is a rare mineral ore mined primarily in Africa, Asia, and the United States. It is used to manufacture capacitors and other high-tech components. The DR Congo is the world’s leading supplier of coltan, and Rwanda is often a key route for the illegal trade of coltan from the DRC.

Countries that purchase coltan from the Democratic Republic of the Congo include:

– China: A major buyer of coltan from the DRC.
– United States: Home to companies exploiting coltan in the DRC, such as Cabot Corporation, OM Group, and AVX.
– Germany: Refines coltan.
– Kazakhstan: Refines coltan.
– Far East: Region that refines coltan.
– Other buyers: Spain, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Japan, Italy, Belgium, and France.

Some of these countries have been accused of sponsoring the crisis in the region due to their vested interest in the coltan trade.