Conflict in the DR Congo: M23’s Pursuit of Natural Resources and Humanitarian Impact
The M23, backed by Rwanda, has captured large territories in DR Congo’s North Kivu, impacting civilian safety and causing massive displacement. The group aims to control valuable resources like coltan, generating substantial income through taxes. Accusations of exporting resources to Rwanda and the presence of RDF troops add complexity to the conflict, which has resulted in nearly 1,700 violent incidents since 2021, claiming thousands of lives.
The March 23 movement (M23), allegedly backed by Rwanda, has gained control over vast areas in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, over a span of three years. Recently, the rebels captured Minova and briefly seized Sake, though Congolese soldiers have succeeded in partially pushing them back. From their elevated positions, the rebels have commenced heavy artillery fire. United Nations peacekeepers are collaborating with the Congolese military to protect civilians who are often caught in conflict zones.
A failed assault by M23 on Goma, a city with a population of one million, recently cost the lives of thirteen international peacekeepers from South Africa, Malawi, and Uruguay, prompting an emergency session of the UN Security Council. Since the beginning of the year, this conflict has displaced over 400,000 individuals, many of whom are fleeing to Rwanda due to fears of Goma’s capture, while they struggle with shortages of food, water, and medical support.
The M23 offensives appear strategically aimed at controlling the area’s abundant natural resources, such as gold, diamonds, cassiterite, and coltan, a mineral critical for the energy transition. Following early successes in Rutshuru and Masisi, the rebels are advancing toward the resource-rich Walikale area, known for its coltan production. A ceasefire agreement, mediated by Angola, was reached in August 2024, yet fighting resumed later in October, with peace talks collapsing in December.
The M23 previously occupied Kalembe, an area vital for transporting mining resources, until a counteroffensive from local militias dislodged them. Political science expert Augustin Muhesi noted that the M23 seeks to gain access to mineral resources, intending to finance their military operations, which currently yield approximately $300,000 monthly from coltan tax revenue. Recently, M23 seized control of Sake and Rubaya, a mining town with significant coltan deposits.
The Congolese government accuses the M23 of exporting coltan to Rwanda, and local civil society groups have reported the group reinstated mining activities in the Rubaya region. The latest UN assessments suggest that around 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are present in the DR Congo supporting M23 rebels, who number close to 3,000. This military collaboration has allowed M23 and the Rwandan Defense Force (RDF) to significantly expand their territorial control, including areas along Lake Edward.
According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), the resurgence of the M23 rebel movement has resulted in approximately 1,700 violent incidents since late 2021, leading to the deaths of nearly 1,746 individuals. The ongoing conflict highlights the complex interplay between military action and the control of valuable resources in the region.
The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the eastern regions, has deep-rooted issues tied to control over valuable natural resources such as gold, coltan, and diamonds. The March 23 movement (M23) is a key player in this complex scenario, often implicated in violent outbreaks while pursuing strategic resource acquisition. The involvement of neighboring Rwanda complicates the situation further, raising questions about external influence and support in regional conflicts. As reported by the United Nations, the humanitarian impact is dire, with a significant portion of the population displaced and in need of urgent assistance.
In summary, the conflict involving the M23 in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is marked by significant military actions, control over vital natural resources, and humanitarian crises affecting thousands of civilians. The M23’s strategic goals seem to align with resource acquisition, while their alliance with Rwandan forces complicates an already tumultuous situation. As both internal and external factors continue to play a role, the region faces an ongoing struggle between military aspirations and humanitarian needs.
Original Source: www.dw.com
