M23 Rebel Fighters Rise Up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Written by Jose Miguel Lopez | October 29, 2023

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On Thursday, October 26th, M23 rebels launched an offensive near the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This attack adds to the ongoing armed conflicts in the south and northeastern regions of the country, which pro-government forces have endured since 2021. M23 is one of several militia groups that has captured territory in the region, imposing their influence and disrupting daily life. Rwanda has been accused by some Western countries and U.N. experts of supporting M23. However, Rwanda denies these accusations and condones the violence. Despite this public position, the Tutsi leadership of M23 creates some skepticism amongst critics, who argue that Rwanda could be financing the group as a proxy to meet expansionist goals.

The attack began on Wednesday, October 25th, on the outskirts of the town of Bambo located around 60 km from Goma. It wasn’t until Thursday that mortar shelling hit Bambo’s town center, causing panic and disorientation at all levels. This forced residents to flee in different directions, looking for safety. There is no official count of displaced residents, but the U.N. humanitarian agency OCHA estimates that around 200,000 individuals have been displaced since October 1st in the northern territories due to the ongoing conflicts. This new attack will add to this figure as residents of Bambo will not be able to return, as some security sources claim the town was overrun. The town was captured and occupied briefly by M23 in November of last year. The group withdrew in April 2023 and government groups quickly mobilized to establish security operations.

The reanimation of military conflict in the region represents a disruption of the democratic process in the DRC. The country is preparing for the upcoming presidential elections set to take place on December 20th. If conflict continues to escalate, thousands of people will not be able to cast their vote due to their displacement. The international community should pay attention to this situation as it develops.