The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda are once again on the brink of a major conflict as escalating tensions threaten to destabilize Africa’s Great Lakes region.
The resurgence of violence has led to the severing of diplomatic ties, displacement of thousands, and the deaths of at least 13 United Nations peacekeepers, including South African and Malawian soldiers.
Historical Roots of Conflict
The hostility between Rwanda and the DRC is deeply rooted in a complex history of ethnic tensions, political rivalries, and resource competition dating back to the colonial era. Key events, including the Rwandan Revolution (1959–1961), which saw the overthrow of the Tutsi monarchy by the Hutu majority, and the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, which displaced thousands of Hutus into eastern Congo, have fueled animosity between the two nations.
The First and Second Congo Wars (1996–2003), involving multiple regional actors, exacerbated this instability, resulting in millions of deaths and widespread displacement. The wars left a legacy of distrust, which continues to define the relationship between Rwanda and the DRC today.
Recent Developments
The latest flashpoint in the conflict is the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, composed largely of ethnic Tutsis, which has escalated its offensive in eastern Congo. The group seized new territories in 2022 and, in January 2025, launched a major attack on Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, forcing over 100,000 people to flee their homes.
The DRC has accused Rwanda of backing the M23, a claim echoed by the United Nations and Western nations. Rwanda denies these allegations but acknowledges deploying troops in eastern Congo, citing security concerns over the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu militia operating in the region.
In response, the DRC severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda earlier this month, accusing it of “planned and systematic aggression.” The deteriorating situation has prompted an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, with calls for sanctions against Rwanda and a withdrawal of all foreign forces from the DRC.
Humanitarian Crisis
The conflict has had a devastating impact on civilians in eastern Congo. Nearly 7 million people are internally displaced, and thousands more have fled to neighboring countries. Civilians face food insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and heightened risks of violence. Reports of unlawful killings, abductions, sexual violence, and human rights abuses by both armed groups and the Congolese army are widespread.
The use of explosive weapons in populated areas has further deepened the crisis, depriving millions of essential services, including clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and education.
International Mediation Efforts
International actors, including the African Union, Angola, and the East African Community, have been working to mediate the conflict. The Luanda and Nairobi processes aimed at fostering dialogue and addressing armed group activity have yielded limited progress. A ceasefire agreement was reached in July 2024 under the Luanda Process, but fighting resumed shortly afterward.
The UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) continues to operate in the region, despite mounting challenges, including attacks on peacekeepers and reports of GPS jamming threatening their safety.
Underlying Drivers of the Conflict
The enduring tensions between Rwanda and the DRC are driven by multiple factors:
Ethnic Divisions: Armed groups on both sides exploit ethnic grievances, perpetuating violence.
Resource Competition: Eastern Congo’s mineral wealth, including coltan and cobalt, fuels the conflict, with armed groups profiting from illegal resource extraction.
Political Instability: Weak governance in the DRC creates fertile ground for armed group activity and external interference.
Historical Mistrust: Decades of animosity and unresolved grievances hinder diplomatic efforts.
The Path Forward
The escalating conflict underscores the need for a comprehensive and sustained approach to achieve peace. Solutions must address the root causes of the conflict, including ethnic divisions, competition for resources, and governance challenges. Dialogue between the DRC and Rwanda, alongside accountability for human rights abuses, is critical to rebuilding trust.
The international community must also step up efforts to mediate, provide humanitarian assistance, and impose consequences on actors fueling the violence. Addressing the exploitation of natural resources, which drives much of the conflict, is essential for a long-term resolution.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens and the risk of a wider regional conflict grows, the urgency for decisive and collaborative action cannot be overstated. Peace and stability in the Great Lakes region depend on the willingness of all parties to prioritize dialogue, reconciliation, and sustainable solutions over divisive rhetoric and short-term interests.
The US will host the official signing of a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, the State Department announced Friday.
Rwanda has officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), citing political bias and obstruction by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels withdrew from peace talks with Congo after EU sanctions on their leaders. With major battlefield wins, they demand more concessions. A surprise ceasefire call from Congo and Rwanda’s presidents may not impact the conflict, as mistrust stalls multiple peace efforts.
The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group announced Monday that it will withdraw from peace talks scheduled for Tuesday in Angola. The rebels had planned direct negotiations with the Democratic Republic of Congo's government to resolve the conflict in the country's east.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), called on regional leaders Saturday to prioritize economic unity, policy coordination, and stronger investment to unlock West Africa’s full potential.
Iran has strongly condemned the recent U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, calling them a violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Pope Leo XIV spoke to political leaders in Rome on Saturday, urging them to remember that artificial intelligence is just a tool — not a replacement for humans.
Eight men were arrested Friday morning following a violent clash near the Iranian embassy in London, police confirmed.
In a televised address on Saturday night, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that American forces, in coordination with Israel, had conducted precision strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, aiming to dismantle Tehran’s enrichment capabilities.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The USS Nimitz is heading to the Middle East amid tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a decades-long history in the region, from the 1979 hostage crisis to modern deployments, often serving as a key asset during periods of rising friction with Iran.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), called on regional leaders Saturday to prioritize economic unity, policy coordination, and stronger investment to unlock West Africa’s full potential.
Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov and China Eximbank Chairman Chen Huaiyu signed a $500 million loan agreement for the telecom sector on June 21.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov discussed bilateral partnership and regional security on the sidelines of the OIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Istanbul.
Kyrgyzstan's First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Daniyar Amangeldiev met with Gazprombank First Vice President Oleg Melnikov during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum to discuss strengthening financial cooperation.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) held talks on advancing cooperation in decarbonization, renewable energy and modernization of the country’s power infrastructure.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), called on regional leaders Saturday to prioritize economic unity, policy coordination, and stronger investment to unlock West Africa’s full potential.
Iran has strongly condemned the recent U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, calling them a violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Pope Leo XIV spoke to political leaders in Rome on Saturday, urging them to remember that artificial intelligence is just a tool — not a replacement for humans.
Eight men were arrested Friday morning following a violent clash near the Iranian embassy in London, police confirmed.
In a televised address on Saturday night, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that American forces, in coordination with Israel, had conducted precision strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, aiming to dismantle Tehran’s enrichment capabilities.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment