The M23 rebel group in eastern DRC has regained power with Rwandan support, highlighting past failures in peacekeeping. Government inadequacies and the region’s rich mineral resources further fuel ongoing conflicts. The international community’s lack of a decisive stance toward Rwanda complicates efforts to stabilize the area, necessitating stronger actions to address these issues.
The M23 rebel group emerged in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2012 and, after over a decade, has regained significant strength. In 2012, M23 captured large areas of North Kivu, including Goma. However, recent advances enabled the group to also seize Bukavu in South Kivu, aided by 4,000 Rwandan troops, raising questions about the current political and military dynamics compared to its previous defeat in 2013.
The defeat of armed groups does not guarantee lasting peace, as evidenced by the M23’s resurgence. The group initially formed due to frustrations over the Congolese government’s failure to uphold a 2009 peace agreement. As noted by Stephanie Wolters from the South African Institute of International Affairs, attempts by Kinshasa to integrate former rebels into the army were ineffective, and those fighters continued to operate independently.
The government’s inadequacy has contributed to ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. Citizens have repeatedly criticized the distant Kinshasa government for its insufficient efforts to combat violence. The Congolese security forces are often ill-equipped, face payment delays, and lack full control over vast territories, leading to armed groups filling the vacuum and providing security and administrative functions as noted by Pacifique Zikomangane.
The historical context of Rwanda’s involvement in eastern Congo plays a crucial role. Ethnic Rwandans have resided in the region for over a century, but the chaos following the 1994 Rwandan genocide gravely destabilized it. In the aftermath, the rise of Hutu militias in eastern DRC offered Rwanda a pretext to exert influence in its neighbor, driven more by control than security concerns, according to Wolters.
The struggle for eastern Congo’s rich mineral resources also fuels conflict. Its vast deposits of gold and coltan attract numerous actors, including foreign military interventions from Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda. As Richard Moncrieff highlighted, this geopolitical rivalry has historically seen neighboring nations vying for control and influence over the area’s resources, thereby perpetuating cycles of violence.
The international response to recent M23 resurgence has been inadequate. Former UN mission head Martin Kobler criticized current peacekeeping efforts for their lack of decisive action as the M23 gained ground following four years of resumed hostilities. Unlike the previous 2013 intervention, where international pressure prompted Rwanda to withdraw support for M23, today, there is a noticeably less robust condemnation of Rwandan actions.
Discerning divisions within international support reflect broader complexities. While some countries like the United States and Belgium have maintained opposition to Rwandan aggression, others, especially in the EU, have shown inconsistency. The reluctance for action arises from Rwanda’s strategic maneuvering, wherein it has cultivated significant diplomatic relations and contributed troops to peacekeeping missions in other conflicts, thus positioning itself as essential for broader stability.
Experts advocate for a firmer international stance towards Rwanda, arguing that sustainable change in the DRC requires amplified pressure on Kigali. Rwanda’s reliance on development aid underscores its vulnerability to global diplomatic strategies, indicating that increased scrutiny could prompt a reevaluation of its support for destabilizing forces in eastern Congo.
The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, driven by the resurgence of M23 and Rwanda’s influence, underscores the complex interplay of historical grievances, governmental inadequacies, and the struggle for mineral resources. The role of international actors, alongside the ineffective domestic response, perpetuates instability. A stronger global condemnation of Rwanda’s actions and support for the DRC is essential to achieving long-term peace in the region.
Original Source: www.dw.com
