Over the past year, the M23 rebel movement has seized large swathes of land in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, even advancing towards Goma, the regional capital.
The rebels claim to be protecting the region’s Kinyarwanda-speaking population, but the Congolese government says they are military proxies for the Rwandan government.
Rebel forces and the government have also been accused of serious human rights violations, and the East African Community has deployed an intervention force to prevent the situation from deteriorating.
Goma, November 7, 2022: Young people participate in the first military training at the base in Goma. The army has enlisted 3,000 new recruits to fight the rebels who, according to the DRC and some international agencies, are supported by Rwanda, which denies the allegations. Goma, November 12, 2022: Soldiers from the newly formed East African Community Regional Force arrive at the international airport. The force was led by soldiers from Kenya. As agreed with the Congolese government, the force can number between 6 500 and 12 000 troops and the mandate must be renewed every six months. Rumangabo, January 6, 2023: M23 rebels are preparing to abandon the army base they previously captured, just 35km outside Goma. His withdrawal was secured as part of a ceasefire with the East African Community Regional Force. DRC President Félix Tshisekedi said the withdrawal was largely ceremonial, and that the rebels had taken control of other areas to compensate. Rumangabo, January 6, 2023: Soldiers with the East African Community Regional Force guard an army base after the departure of M23 rebels.Rutshuru, January 6, 2023: Houses destroyed during clashes between the DRC army and M23 rebels. The fighting has displaced more than half a million people in the past year. Goma, January 18, 2023: Residents of Goma protest against the planned arrival of South Sudanese troops, who will join Kenyan soldiers as part of the East African Community Regional Force. Protesters say regional forces have not done enough to fight the rebels, and the DRC army can defend itself. Security forces used tear gas to disperse the protest and arrested 12 people.Bulengo, 27 February 2023: As always, the people who pay the price of war are civilians caught in the middle – this time between government forces on one side, and M23 rebels on the other.
This article first appeared in The Continent, a pan-African weekly newspaper produced in partnership with the Mail & Guardian. It is designed to be read and shared on WhatsApp. Download your free copy here.
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