On January 27, 2025, as M23 announced it had taken control of Goma, my phone rang. It was my friend Esther. This was our first call of the year after exchanging New Year greetings. Esther is a young Pan-Africanist, deeply passionate about Africa’s transformation. She asked, “Ganza, are you in Rwanda? Are you safe? What’s really happening between Rwanda and DRC? The news is all over about the war, and my friend in DRC, an activist, is asking us to make videos for the ‘Stop the War in DRC’ campaign, but I’m not clear on what’s going on.” I could sense her hesitation. She knew the importance of being well-informed before taking action, so I assured her I’d help clarify the situation. The root causes: M23, not a war between Rwanda and DRC Esther, I said, there’s no war between Rwanda and DRC. What’s happening is much more complicated and rooted in history. Since colonial times, European-drawn borders have divided people who share the same culture and language. For example, Kinyarwanda-speaking people live in different counties like Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC. In Congo, especially in the eastern regions, these people have lived there for generations but have been treated as outsiders. I continued, M23 isn’t just an armed group; it represents Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese, particularly in North and South Kivu. Over time, the Congolese government has treated them as foreigners, despite their deep ties to the land. M23 is fighting for recognition and protection, not for land or power, but for their basic rights. The false accusations and misinformation Many Western media outlets paint M23 as a Rwandan-backed militia. This is a misleading simplification. The DRC’s failure to control its borders and address internal issues has led to the rise of over 120 armed groups, including M23. “You can’t rely on the Western media or even the DRC government to fully understand this,” I told Esther. They tell a one-sided story, often falsely accusing Rwanda. The truth is, M23 is supported by the people in the areas they control. These people have suffered for years, and M23 has provided some sense of security.” The failure of the Congolese government The Congolese government, under President Félix Tshisekedi, has struggled to stabilize the eastern region for decades. Sadly, there has been cooperation between the government and groups like FDLR, which fled Rwanda after committing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. FDLR forces have continued to target the Tutsi population in eastern Congo. Instead of addressing the root causes of the conflict, exclusion and historical injustice, the government and international community demands M23 to withdraw without addressing their grievances. M23’s struggle is about survival and recognition. The lack of genuine peace efforts Peace talks in Angola and Kenya have largely ignored M23’s involvement. The real issue is that M23 hasn’t been included in meaningful peace talks. The group is fighting for recognition as Congolese citizens and the right to live peacefully. The international community has urged M23 to stop fighting but hasn’t addressed their reason for rebelling. I explained to Esther, The UN has been in Congo for over two decades but has failed to secure peace. They’ve allowed armed groups like FDLR to continue destabilizing the region. The DRC government has failed to protect its citizens, and the international community hasn’t supported solutions that address the conflict’s root causes. Congo vs Rwanda: A story of two neighbors I compared the situation to two neighbors: one wealthy but irresponsible, and the other less rich but hardworking and well-managed. Rwanda, after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, chose unity, thinking big, and accountability. Over the past 30 years, Rwanda has achieved impressive development, security, and economic growth. In contrast, the DRC, rich in natural resources, has struggled due to poor governance and external interference. The DRC’s inability to control its territory has allowed armed groups to thrive, leading to violence and instability. The advice of African leaders I shared with Esther how many African leaders, including Uganda’s President Museveni, Kenya’s President Ruto, former South African President Mbeki, and Pan-Africanist PLO Lumumba, who have urged the Congolese government to address the conflict’s root causes. They’ve advised the DRC to engage with M23 directly, recognizing the group’s fight for the rights of their people. Unfortunately, President Tshisekedi has refused to engage in these talks and continues to blame Rwanda for the issues in Eastern Congo, ignoring the internal causes of the conflict. Understanding the conflict The situation in eastern DR Congo is complicated and requires more than just mainstream media narratives. M23 is not an outside aggressor; it’s a group fighting for recognition, justice, and survival. The Congolese government and the international community must address historical exclusion and governance failures to achieve lasting peace. I encouraged Esther to read about the conflict from multiple sources and understand its historical context. As a Pan-Africanist, it’s essential to go beyond the headlines and recognize the deeper causes of conflict. As our conversation ended, Esther thanked me for helping her understand the situation better. I hope that through informed and open dialogue, we can contribute to peace and a better future for the people of eastern DR Congo. A call to action It’s crucial that world leaders, international organizations, and peacekeepers engage with all stakeholders, including M23, and facilitate peace dialogue with the Congolese government. Only through genuine action and a commitment to lasting peace can the international community help bring stability to the region and ensure the rights and dignity of all affected.
