The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has accused the M23 rebel group, which is backed by Rwanda, of committing “ethnic cleansing” in the country’s eastern provinces.
In a statement on Tuesday, Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani condemned the forced displacement of local populations in North Kivu’s Rutshuru and Masisi regions, where the arrival of foreign populations has led to the expulsion of locals through violence. “This constitutes ethnic cleansing,” Shabani asserted.
The accusations follow the M23’s recent appointment of administrators in areas it controls. The eastern DRC, rich in minerals and bordering Rwanda, is a hotbed of conflict, with over 100 armed groups vying for control. The resurgence of M23 has escalated violence, exacerbating one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with more than 7 million people displaced, many of whom are unreachable by aid.
M23, composed largely of ethnic Tutsis, defected from the Congolese army over a decade ago and rose to prominence in 2012 when it captured Goma, the region’s largest city. Congo has long accused Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim that the U.S. and U.N. have echoed, pointing to Rwanda’s military backing of the group. While Rwanda denies involvement in war crimes, it admitted earlier this year to stationing troops and missile systems in eastern Congo for security reasons, citing the presence of Congolese forces near the border.
A ceasefire brokered by the U.S. and Angola in July helped ease tensions between Rwandan and Congolese forces, though clashes between M23 and other militias persist. In August, fighting between M23 and pro-government militias led to the deaths of 16 villagers, violating the truce meant to ease the displacement crisis.