DRC leader calls for military recruits as Rwandan-backed rebels advance
Guardian5 days
DRC: M23 Rebels Advance, Vow Kinshasa March
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Above: M23 leaders hold a press conference in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Jan. 30, 2025. Image copyright: Cyrile Ndegeya/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
The M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, captured the strategic city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and are advancing toward Bukavu, causing widespread displacement of civilians and humanitarian concerns.
The offensive has forced approximately 500K people from their homes, while Goma remains largely without electricity and water, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
M23 leader Corneille Nangaa declared the group's intention to continue their "march of liberation" to the capital Kinshasa, though analysts note such an advance would be unlikely given the 1.6K miles (2.6K km) distance.
The Spin
Narrative A
Rwanda is using M23 as a proxy force to pillage Congo's valuable mineral resources worth an estimated $24T, while violating territorial sovereignty and causing a humanitarian crisis that has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians. There must be accountability in this horrific humanitarian tragedy.
Narrative B
The M23 rebellion is necessary to protect ethnic Tutsi rights in Congo and eliminate genocidal Hutu militias that threaten Rwanda's security. The advance aims to establish better governance and restore essential services in captured territories.
