Description: M23 rebels after overwhelmingly occupying the city of Bukavu have reinforced their ranks with up to 1,800 members of the local police force. The Congolese military has faced significant difficulties in countering M23 ground advances in the eastern Congo recently as several larger cities have fallen under military control of the rebel group and their affiliates. Rwanda has been repeatedly accused of indirectly supporting the M23 rebels as they aimed to tap into Eastern Congo’s gold and coltan reserves which were of high strategic value.
Impact: The M23 rebel group has started to gain local support which could indicate on a prolonged armed crisis especially with Rwanda backing their military campaign. Congolese military alongside UN peacekeeping forces have done little to no damage to the M23 – led warfare campaign despite support from Uganda and the requested support from Chad. The conflict could additionally destabilize the western African region and pose a significant risk towards DR Congo’s territorial integrity. Armed fighting has already caused severe humanitarian crisis as hospitals, banks and other institutions have been looted and their capacities overwhelmed.