Minerals, mobile phones and militias: how war unfolded in DRC
Briefly

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is witnessing a critical moment as a peace agreement is being negotiated after the M23 militia's recent territorial gains. The roots of the ongoing conflict stem from the 1994 Rwandan genocide, where ethnic tensions have persisted for years. The M23 group, comprised mainly of ethnic Tutsis, has made significant advances in the DRC, asserting the need to protect their community amidst what they describe as ongoing marginalization. With hundreds of thousands affected, the urgency for a peace resolution grows increasingly important.
M23's recent advance signifies a severe violation of DRC's sovereignty, indicating the complex interplay of ethnic tensions stemming from historical conflicts, particularly the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The escalation of violence reflects not only immediate conflicts but also decades of political and economic unrest, tracing back to the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide.
This year has seen unprecedented violence and territorial gains by M23, suggesting a critical turning point in the longstanding conflict within the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The necessity for a peace agreement underscores the international community's urgency in addressing the systemic issues contributing to sustained violence in the region.
Read at www.theguardian.com
[
|
]