A new report released on Tuesday by the Ebuteli Institute and the NYU Congo Research Group has implicated Rwanda as the primary instigator of the recent M23 rebellion in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The resurgence of the M23, a dormant rebel group, has led to significant territorial gains since late 2021.
According to the research, Rwanda’s primary motivation for backing the M23 is to counter the influence of its neighbor, Uganda.
The report challenges the M23 and Rwandan government’s narrative that the rebellion is a response to anti-Tutsi violence and the Congolese government’s support for the FDLR, a Hutu extremist group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Instead, the study argues that these factors are consequences rather than causes of the M23’s resurgence.
Evidence of increased anti-Tutsi violence in North Kivu prior to the M23’s return is limited, and the rebellion has exacerbated existing ethnic tensions.
The report highlights the strained relationship between Uganda and Rwanda as a crucial factor in the M23’s revival.
Uganda’s deployment of troops to support the Congolese army against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in late 2021 increased Rwanda’s sense of isolation and perceived threat. According to the research, Kigali’s support for the M23 was a primary driver.
Despite initially denying involvement, Rwanda has been accused of providing significant military support to the M23.
A recent UN report estimates that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan soldiers fought alongside M23 rebels. This level of support is seen as a major factor in the group’s rapid territorial expansion.
The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC has a complex history rooted in regional tensions and the exploitation of the region’s rich mineral resources.
The resurgence of the M23 and Rwanda’s involvement have further destabilized the region and caused immense suffering for the civilian population.