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Protesters in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, have set fire to portraits of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and torn up Rwandan flags amid growing anger over the rapid advance of M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo. The armed group has seized control of most of Goma, a key trading and humanitarian hub near the Rwandan border.
The demonstrators accuse Kagame of backing the rebels—an allegation long supported by UN experts, who claim the Rwandan army is in “de facto control of M23 operations.” According to their findings, M23 fighters receive training under Rwandan supervision and are equipped with advanced weaponry supplied by Rwanda.
Goma Falls into Chaos
Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, has been a refuge for those fleeing clashes between M23 and the Congolese army since the conflict reignited in late 2021. The city’s population swelled to nearly two million, but its residents now face new turmoil as fighting erupts. Loud explosions have echoed through the streets, bodies lie scattered, and the city’s phone lines, electricity, and water supply have been cut off.
“There is no question that there are Rwandan troops in Goma supporting M23,” said UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix, though he admitted it was difficult to determine their exact numbers. Some Congolese army soldiers surrendered on Monday—by crossing into Rwanda.
Despite mounting evidence, Kagame has repeatedly denied supporting M23. However, analysts note a shift in his rhetoric. Richard Moncrieff of the International Crisis Group said that Kagame’s tone has moved from denial to justification, arguing that Rwanda’s involvement is a defensive measure.
On Sunday, Rwanda’s foreign ministry released a statement warning that the conflict near its border posed “a serious threat to Rwanda’s security and territorial integrity” and justified Rwanda’s “sustained defensive posture.” The statement also condemned what it called “misguided” accusations that lacked context.
Kagame’s Justification: The Shadow of the 1994 Genocide
For Kagame, the root of the crisis lies in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, when Hutu militias killed up to 800,000 people—mostly Tutsis—before fleeing into DR Congo. Some of them later formed the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel group still active in eastern DR Congo. Kagame, who led the Tutsi rebel force that ended the genocide, views the FDLR as an existential threat.
Rwanda has twice invaded DR Congo, citing the need to neutralize these Hutu militants. Kagame has criticized Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi for failing to address the FDLR threat, saying his refusal to negotiate with M23 has worsened the conflict.
Analysts believe M23’s offensive on Goma is a political statement rather than a military necessity. “The group already controls more lucrative areas,” Moncrieff noted. “This is about Kagame asserting power over North Kivu.”
M23’s Growing Strength and Rwanda’s Alleged Role
M23, which claims to defend the interests of the Tutsi minority in eastern DR Congo, has evolved into a highly organized force. According to UN experts, its fighters undergo months of intensive training at a camp in Tchanzu, near the Rwandan border. Recruits—including children—are subjected to ideological courses and combat drills under the supervision of Rwandan officers.
Sultani Makenga, M23’s military chief and a former ally of Kagame, personally attended some of the training graduations last year, which involved thousands of recruits. UN experts estimate that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops are now operating in DR Congo, with their presence confirmed by drone footage, video recordings, and eyewitness testimonies.
Captured M23 fighters reportedly referred to Rwandan special forces as the “Friendly Force.” These troops, according to UN findings, provide logistical and military support but avoid direct interaction with M23’s regular fighters.
Uganda, a longtime ally of Rwanda, has also been implicated. UN reports suggest Ugandan officials have supplied weapons, facilitated M23 troop movements, and hosted rebel leaders—allegations Kampala denies.
Control Over Resources: The Economic Factor
Beyond geopolitics, M23’s recent advances also appear driven by economic interests. The group seized the mining town of Rubaya last May, gaining control of North Kivu’s lucrative coltan trade. The UN estimates M23 collects at least $800,000 per month in taxes on coltan exports, with around 120 tonnes of the mineral—used in mobile phones and electric vehicle batteries—shipped to Rwanda every four weeks. Satellite imagery shows roads leading to the Rwandan border were widened last year to accommodate heavy transport trucks.