Introduction
On 17 February 2024, the Goma International Airport located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was attacked by the ‘March 23’ (M23) rebel group. In the suspected drone attack civilian airplanes and properties were damaged. The DRC Government accused the M23 group of wanting capture Goma with Rwanda’s support. The M23 however, refuted DRC’s statement and alleged the government has failed to implement the 2009 peace agreement signed between the DRC Government and M23 group. Rwanda has also refuted the DRC’s accusation of supporting the M23 rebels in the Goma Airport attack.
Constant attacks by M23 rebels in DRC have resulted in displacement of people, poverty, and humanitarian and human rights issues. It has adversely impacted regional stability and peace. The DRC Government of President Felix Tshishkedi has undertaken various measures and initiatives in association with regional organizations, including East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the United Nations (UN) to prevent attacks by M23 rebels and stabilize the situation. This issue brief analyses the current conflict in DRC; its impact on regional stability and the effectiveness of the bilateral and regional efforts to stabilize the situation.
March 23 Rebels and their Objective?
Formed of ethnic Tutsis the M23 is among more than 100 armed groups operating in the eastern region of the North Kivu province of the DRC. This group has emerged out of the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), a rebel group which laid down arms following the March 2009 peace deal which stipulate that the CNDP fighters would be integrated into the Congolese national army, and CNDP will become a registered political party. In 2012, a faction of the CNDP, claiming that the Congolese government has not fulfilled the terms of the deal, formed a new rebel group known as M23.
The M23 claims to enforce the 2009 peace deal and protect the interest of the Congolese Tutsis, who it alleges are facing discrimination as they are considered of Rwandan descent. The M23 had occupied the city of Goma in 2012. However, following talks with the DRC Government, facilitated by the SADC, the group ceased its operations in 2013. The M23 violence declined with the surrender of its fighters and leaders, but the group re-emerged in 2021 and started attacking various provinces of DRC, making territorial gains across the east of the country bordering Rwanda and Uganda. By December 2022, the UN reported that the M23 controlled around three times the size of territory it held in March 2022.[i] The fighting has worsened the humanitarian crises, with Goma city now hosting nearly two million people fleeing violence from the nearby areas, up from a population of only six lakhs a few years ago[ii] . The crisis has been fuelled by the longstanding geopolitical tensions between DRC and Rwanda.
The Rwanda Factor
Rwanda’s involvement in DRC goes back to 1996, when it supported the rebellion that overthrew the then ruler Mobutu Sese Seko. It has been reported that Rwanda supports the M23 rebels for its own political and economic interests. Some experts also believe that the M23 group is the latest in a long line of Rwandan-linked rebel movements that represent a proxy for the economic and security ambitions of Rwanda. The region occupied by the M23 bordering Rwanda and Uganda, is rich in natural and mineral resources, especially cobalt, which is used in smart phones and emerging green technology[iii]. Rwanda allegedly supports M23 in the form of funds, troops and arms. The ongoing conflict has exacerbated tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 group, but the accusations have been denied by Rwanda. The growing tension between DRC and Rwanda, has not only increased the risk of an all-out conflict, but also poses a threat to food security for millions[iv]. Regional and international players like African Union (AU), European Union (EU) and the United States are supporting the DRC .The UN has also indicated that Rwanda is responsible for the activities of M23 rebels in the DRC. In November 2023 through the mediation efforts of the US, Rwanda and DRC agreed to reduce military presence on their shared border.
Regional and UN Efforts
The resurgence of the M23 rebel group has raised concerns about the stability of the DRC and the broader Great Lakes region. Regional organizations such as EAC, SADC have been making efforts to de-escalate the situation. The East African Community-led ‘Nairobi Peace Process’ and ‘Luanda Roadmap’ are two recent initiatives to enhance peace and stability in the region. The Nairobi Peace Process launched in April 2022 is based on principles of inclusivity, dialogue, ownership, regional leadership, and international support[v]. It seeks to engage all stakeholders, including the DRC government, armed groups, civil society organizations, and the international community in finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict through dialogue and negotiation. The Luanda Roadmap aims to establish a timetable for the implementation of priority actions, for the cessation of hostilities and the immediate withdrawal of the M23 from occupied Congolese areas.[vi]
In November 2022, the East African Community (EAC) deployed a Regional Force in DRC to restore peace and stability. The mandates of the Regional Force are the following;
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) also has made comprehensive efforts to curb the ongoing conflict in the region. The deployment of the Southern African Development Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) is in accordance with the principle of collective self-defence and collective action outlined in the SADC Mutual Defence Pact (2003). The Pact emphasizes that; ‘Any armed attack perpetrated against one of the States Parties shall be considered a threat to regional peace and security and shall be met with immediate collective action[vii].
Apart from SADC, the UN has also deployed a peace keeping mission called the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO. The MONUSCO aims to create networks and committees that work in tandem with local law enforcement, security agencies and civil society to protect citizens from conflicts.
India’s Role in DRC Stability
It may be noted that India has been a key player in stabilizing and preserving peace in the DRC, working in tandem with regional and international entities. There are several countries contributing to United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), including India. India has contributed more troops and police personnel to the UN than any other country. Around 1970 Indian personnel including from police and military are currently engaging to help DRC government to maintain peace and security. The UN however has announced that the mission in DRC is going to end by 2024, as UN believes that the Congolese government is now capable dealing with the situation.
Conclusion
Despite all these initiatives and efforts undertaken by regional organizations in collaboration with the government of DRC to prevent M23 and other armed groups attacks in the country, fighting has continued. The recent Goma airport attacks in February 2024 show the capability and ground support of M23 in the region. The rising tension between DRC and Rwanda over the M23 has adversely affected the stability of the region.The regional organizations and the DRC Government, though facing numerous operational and institutional challenges, are still in a position to de-escalate domestic and regional tensions with required support from all sides.
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*Syamkumar V, Research Associate, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal.
Endnotes
[i] ACLED , Actor Profile : The March 23 Movement , 23 March 2023, https://acleddata.com/2023/03/23/actor-profile-m23-drc/.
[ii] The Hindu, DRC Conflict: What explains the flaring eastern Congo conflict/ Explained.
[iii] Peace News- A legacy of failed peace processes threatens millions in the DRC by Leo Weakland
[iv] The Hindu; The Flaring conflict in eastern congo/explained 2024.
[v] East African Community, EAC-Led Nairobi Process on restoration of peace and security in Eastern Democratic of Republic of Congo, https://www.eac.int/nairobiprocess.
[vi] International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, Mini –Summit on Peace and Security in the Eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, https://icglr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/EN-Final-communique.pdf.
[vii] Southern African Development Community ; Deployment of the SADC mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo https://www.sadc.int/latest-news/deployment-sadc-mission-democratic-republic-congo.