Fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has intensified, with over 3,000 deaths reported in less than two weeks as the rebel coalition Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), led by M23, advances, the CNN reported citing DRC’s government.
The group recently captured the mining town of Nyabibwe, following the seizure of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. The region, rich in minerals like coltan and cobalt—essential for electronics—has long been a hotspot for armed groups vying for control of resource-rich territories.
The Congolese government and UN experts have accused Rwanda of supporting M23 and profiting from illicit mineral exports, allegations Rwanda denies. Amid ongoing clashes, a recent ceasefire attempt collapsed, with analysts emphasizing that sustainable peace requires governance reforms, improved military capabilities, and equitable resource distribution.
The humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC has worsened, with the United Nations reporting that M23 rebels have forced over 110,000 displaced people to leave settlement camps. Initially issuing a 72-hour deadline for camp residents to return to their villages, M23 later stated the relocations should be voluntary.
However, the UN’s humanitarian agency, OCHA, warned that those forced to leave are now heading to remote areas with even less access to aid. Many displaced individuals, some of whom have lost their homes, expressed fear and uncertainty about their future.
According to media reports, the fighting resumed on Tuesday on the Lubero front in North Kivu, with M23 rebels bombing Congolese army positions in the town of Kivisire. The escalated clashes followed a joint summit by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) calling for an immediate ceasefire.
As the conflict continues, the humanitarian toll rises, with over 6.4 million people already internally displaced in the DRC. The international community faces increasing pressure to address both the conflict and the ethical sourcing of minerals fueling it.
