DR Congo War

The Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern region has been engulfed in conflict for over three decades. The current crisis escalated sharply in January 2025 when M23 rebels — backed by Rwanda according to UN experts — captured Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo. Over 100 armed groups operate in the east. 7+ million people are displaced, making this Africa's largest humanitarian crisis. The conflict is deeply intertwined with the extraction of minerals critical to global technology supply chains.

Background

The DRC's eastern provinces have experienced near-continuous armed conflict since the 1990s Rwandan genocide destabilized the region. Multiple waves of war followed, involving Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and dozens of local armed groups competing over territory and mineral resources — particularly coltan, gold, and cassiterite, which are essential components of smartphones and electronics.

The M23 (Mouvement du 23 Mars) is a Tutsi-led rebel group that first emerged in 2012. It was defeated in 2013 but re-emerged in 2021 with significantly enhanced military capability. UN experts have documented Rwandan military support for M23, a claim Rwanda denies.

Current Situation (March 2026)

In January 2025, M23 captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu province and the main humanitarian hub for eastern Congo. This represented the most significant territorial shift in years and caused a massive new displacement wave. South Kivu came under increasing M23 pressure throughout 2025. The SAF (DRC armed forces) has been unable to retake lost territory despite deployment of UN peacekeepers (MONUSCO) and SADC regional forces.

Diplomatic efforts including an Angola-brokered ceasefire process have repeatedly stalled. The humanitarian response is chronically underfunded.

Regional Hotspots

• Goma / North KivuCRITICAL — M23 control since Jan. 2025
• South KivuCRITICAL — ongoing M23 advance
• Ituri (ADF)HIGH — ISIS-linked ADF attacks
• Tanganyika ProvinceMEDIUM — spillover, displacement

Key Actors

M23 / Rwanda (alleged)

M23 is a Tutsi-dominated rebel group with documented military links to Rwanda per UN Group of Experts reports. Rwanda denies direct military involvement. M23 controls significant territory in North Kivu including Goma.

DRC Armed Forces (FARDC)

The national army is widely accused of human rights abuses and has failed to contain the M23 advance despite numerical superiority. Morale and command structure issues are well-documented.

UN Mission (MONUSCO)

The UN peacekeeping mission in Congo has been present since 1999 and is one of the largest and most expensive UN operations. Its effectiveness has been widely criticized. The DRC government has called for MONUSCO's withdrawal, which is being phased.