Conflict Brief: The Democratic Republic of the Congo vs M23/AFC

Location: Ongoing conflict in the eastern provinces of Kivu( North and South) and their capital cities, Goma and Bukavu.

Started: Since 2012, with an escalation in January 2025

Main Actors: The Congolese armed forces( FARDC), March 23 rebel Group (M23 backed by the Rwandan government), the Allied forces of the Congo(AFC), Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), wazalendo Militia.

What is Happening: Since January 2025, the M23 and AFC rebel groups have captured two large cities, Goma and Bukavu, in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu. This surge follows a long history of instability in the region and the involvement of other actors fuelling the rebel groups with supply. All of this is due to its fertile land and rich mineral resources, such as Cobalt or coltan.

Why did it start: At the heart of this conflict is the central government's lack of effective governance from Kinshasa. The government's poor management of power in the country has allowed the M23 and AFC to capture significant cities of Goma and Bukavu. These groups exploit ethnic tensions to fuel the conflict further. In Addition, the region's rich mineral resources attract local and foreign actors who support the rebels. Moreover, the M23 and the AFC justify their actions by accusing the central government of dysfunctions and claiming systemic discrimination against the Minority Tutsi population in the DRC.

What's At Stake: The human cost is devastating. Millions of civilians, men, women, and children face insecurity, displacement, and violence daily. Politically, the instability undermines efforts for national development and governance. Regionally, it threatens the stability of the Great Lakes area and affects international supply chains, particularly those dependent on Congolese Cobalt, essential for electronics and green technologies. For the Democratic Republic of Congo, progress, peace, and stability are critical for the future.

Why does it matter now: The 2025 escalation has transformed an urgent humanitarian crisis into a regional emergency. Beyond the significant human toll, raising awareness is crucial to pressuring the parties involved to take meaningful action and reduce harm. Moreover, global consumers often rely on materials sourced from this conflict affected region. Addressing this issue is essential for protecting human rights, promoting peace, and safeguarding an ethical, sustainable, and stable global supply chain. Mobilizing international concern and pressure has a huge chance of influencing decision makers to take action. 

References

Lawal, S. (2024, February 21). A guide to the decades-long confict in DR Congo. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/21/a-guide-to-the-decades-long-conflict-in-dr-congo

Lazenby, H. (2025, February 10). Middlemen siphon billions from war‑ravaged DRC's cobalt, coltan trade. Mining.com.https://www.mining.com/middlemen-siphon-billions-from-war-ravaged-drcs-cobalt-coltan-trade/

Radio Okapi. (2025, May 28). Le M23 accusé de violations flagrantes du droit humanitaire. Radio Okapi.https://www.radiookapi.net/2025/05/28/emissions/dialogue-entre-congolais/le-m23-accuse-de-violations-flagrantes-du-droit-humanitaire

Rwandan support for M23 threatens to turn the conflict into a regional crisis. (2025, February 4). AllAfrica. https://allafrica.com/stories/202502040584.html

Who are the M23 rebels and why is there fighting in eastern DRC? (2025, January 27). Time Africa Magazine.https://timeafricamagazine.com/who-are-the-m23-rebels-and-why-is-there-fighting-in-eastern-drc/