The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) conflict, particularly in the eastern provinces, has flared into a renewed crisis as of March 2025, with the M23 rebels intensifying their campaign around Goma, the capital of North Kivu. The conflict, deeply intertwined with Rwanda involvement and the scramble for the DRC’s vast mineral wealth, has displaced millions and reignited long-standing tensions in the Great Lakes region. Known as the “mineral wars” due to the role of resource exploitation in fueling the violence, the DRC conflict has created a humanitarian catastrophe, with Goma at the epicenter of the suffering. As international efforts falter, the people of eastern DRC face an uncertain future in a war that shows no signs of resolution.
Historical Context: A Legacy of Violence in the DRC
The DRC conflict has its roots in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, when millions of Hutu refugees, including genocidaires, fled into eastern DRC (then Zaire), pursued by Rwanda’s new Tutsi-led government. This influx sparked the First Congo War (1996–1997), which saw the overthrow of Mobutu Sese Seko, and the Second Congo War (1998–2003), often called “Africa’s World War,” involving nine African nations and claiming over 5 million lives. Despite the 2003 peace agreement, eastern DRC has remained a hotbed of violence, with over 120 armed groups operating in the region. The M23 rebels, named after the March 23, 2009, peace accord they claim was violated, emerged in 2012, briefly capturing Goma before being driven out in 2013. Their resurgence in 2021 has reignited fears of a broader regional conflict, with Rwanda involvement playing a central role.
M23 Rebels: A Resurgent Threat
The M23 rebels, primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis, have reemerged as a formidable force in eastern DRC since 2021, accusing the Congolese government of failing to protect Tutsi communities and integrate them into the military as promised in the 2009 accord. By March 2025, M23 has captured significant territory in North Kivu, including strategic towns like Rutshuru and Kiwanja, and is now advancing on Goma, a city of over 2 million people. The rebels have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence, and the forced recruitment of child soldiers, with a 2024 UN report documenting over 300 civilian deaths attributed to M23 in a single year. Despite their claims of fighting for Tutsi rights, many analysts believe M23’s operations are heavily supported by Rwanda, a charge Kigali denies but which has been substantiated by UN and Human Rights Watch investigations.
Rwanda Involvement: A Regional Power Play
Rwanda involvement in the DRC conflict has been a major driver of the current escalation. Multiple reports, including a 2024 UN Group of Experts investigation, have confirmed that Rwanda provides direct military support to M23, including troops, weapons, and logistical aid. Rwanda’s motivations are twofold: security concerns over the presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu militia in eastern DRC linked to the 1994 genocide, and economic interests tied to the DRC’s mineral wealth. Rwanda has been accused of smuggling minerals like coltan, gold, and tin through its territory, profiting from the chaos in eastern DRC. In February 2025, tensions between the DRC and Rwanda escalated when Congolese forces clashed with Rwandan troops near the border, raising fears of an all-out war between the two nations. The African Union and the East African Community have called for dialogue, but Rwanda’s denials and the DRC’s accusations continue to stall diplomatic efforts.
Mineral Wars: The Economic Engine of Conflict
The DRC conflict is often referred to as the “mineral wars” due to the central role of the country’s vast natural resources in fueling the violence. The DRC holds some of the world’s largest reserves of cobalt, coltan, gold, and tin—minerals critical for electronics, batteries, and global supply chains. Armed groups like M23, as well as others such as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), control mining areas, extorting taxes from artisanal miners and smuggling resources across borders. A 2024 report by Global Witness estimated that over $1 billion in mineral revenues are lost annually to illicit trade, much of which funds the conflict. Rwanda involvement has been particularly controversial, with evidence suggesting that Kigali uses M23 as a proxy to secure access to these resources. The mineral wars have not only enriched armed groups but also drawn in multinational corporations, some of which have been criticized for turning a blind eye to the conflict minerals in their supply chains.
Displacement: A Humanitarian Crisis in Goma
The DRC conflict has created one of the world’s largest displacement crises, with over 7 million people internally displaced as of March 2025, according to the UN. North Kivu, particularly around Goma, has borne the brunt of the crisis, with M23’s advance forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. Goma, a city already strained by previous conflicts and the 2021 eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, is now surrounded by sprawling displacement camps, where conditions are dire. Families live in makeshift shelters, facing shortages of food, clean water, and medical care. A cholera outbreak in early 2025 killed over 200 people in Goma’s camps, highlighting the lack of humanitarian access. The violence has also disrupted agricultural production, leading to acute food insecurity for over 25 million Congolese, with 5.4 million in North Kivu alone facing crisis-level hunger, per the World Food Programme.
Goma: A City on the Brink
Goma, the economic and cultural hub of eastern DRC, is under unprecedented threat as M23 rebels close in. The city has long been a flashpoint in the DRC conflict, serving as a refuge for displaced people while also hosting UN peacekeepers and humanitarian organizations. In March 2025, M23 captured the town of Sake, just 20 kilometers from Goma, cutting off key supply routes and raising fears of a full-scale siege. The Congolese army (FARDC), supported by UN peacekeepers (MONUSCO) and regional forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has struggled to hold the line, with reports of low morale and desertions. Civilians in Goma live in constant fear of shelling and airstrikes, with schools and hospitals shutting down as the fighting nears. The city’s strategic location near the Rwandan border makes it a prized target for M23, but its fall would have catastrophic consequences for the entire region.
Regional and Global Implications
The DRC conflict has significant regional and global ramifications. Rwanda involvement has strained relations with the DRC, with both countries expelling each other’s diplomats in late 2024. Uganda, which has also been implicated in supporting armed groups in eastern DRC, faces accusations of exploiting the conflict for economic gain, particularly through gold smuggling. The conflict has also drawn in other regional players, with Kenya and South Africa contributing troops to the SADC mission, though their efforts have been hampered by funding shortages and logistical challenges. On the global stage, the DRC’s mineral wealth makes the conflict a matter of international concern, as disruptions in cobalt and coltan supply chains could impact industries like electric vehicle manufacturing. Western governments have imposed sanctions on Rwandan officials linked to M23, but these measures have done little to curb the violence.
International Response and Path Forward
International efforts to address the DRC conflict have been largely ineffective. The UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, has been criticized for failing to protect civilians, with its mandate set to expire in 2025 amid calls from the Congolese government for its withdrawal. Regional initiatives, such as the Luanda Process led by Angola, have attempted to mediate between the DRC and Rwanda, but talks have repeatedly broken down. Humanitarian aid is a lifeline for millions, but funding shortfalls have limited its impact—only 30% of the UN’s 2024 appeal for the DRC was met. Addressing the root causes of the conflict, including Rwanda involvement, the mineral wars, and governance failures, requires a coordinated international approach, but geopolitical divisions and donor fatigue have hindered progress.
The DRC conflict, with Goma at its heart, is a stark reminder of the human cost of greed and power. The M23 rebels, fueled by Rwanda involvement and the mineral wars, continue to wreak havoc, while displacement and suffering reach unprecedented levels. Will the international community step up to end this cycle of violence, or will eastern DRC remain a forgotten warzone? Stay informed on this escalating crisis and its global impact.