M23 - The African Mirror

Feb

2024

DRC protests: expert explains why Congolese anger against the west is justified – and useful to the government

SINCE early February, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, has been rocked by protests directed against Western embassies. Protests took place in front of the British and French embassies and in front of United Nations buildings. Throughout the city, American and Belgian flags were burned. KRISTOF TITECA, Professor in International Development, University of Antwerp The protesters are denouncing what they believed to be Western complicity in the war in the east of the DRC. These protests were triggered by the renewed advance of the rebel movement M23. M23 is led by Congolese Tutsi and is the latest in the…

Apr

2023

By The African Mirror

East Africa’s peace mission in the DRC: why it’s in Burundi’s interest to help

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

BURUNDI was the first country to offer troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2022 as part of East Africa’s peace drive after a wave of attacks from the rebel group known as Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23). Burundi shares a 243km border with the DRC. Most of it runs through the Rusizi/Ruzizi River to the north and Lake Tanganyika to the south. It has been described as one of the most porous borders in Africa’s Great Lakes region. This makes it particularly vulnerable to the spillover effects of conflict from one country into the other. Burundi currently…

Mar

2023

By The African Mirror

Rwanda says Congo soldier killed after crossing border and opening fire

NEWS

RWANDAN soldiers shot dead a Congolese soldier who crossed the border and shot at security forces, triggering a brief exchange of fire between the two sides, Rwanda's defence ministry said. Already strained relations between the central African neighbours have deteriorated sharply since the M23 rebel group launched a fresh offensive in eastern Congo in March last year, displacing over 600,000 people since. Congo accuses Rwanda of backing the Tutsi-led group. The United Nations, the United States, France and other international powers have made similar allegations. But Rwanda denies this and says it is being scapegoated for Congo's military incompetence. The…