Decades of Conflict: The Ongoing Crisis in Eastern DRC and Its Regional Impact

One of the most prolonged running conflicts in the world is in the DRC, on the east side of the country.  Fighting has been going on for almost three decades. Neighboring countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi have also been involved.  

In January, a group called M-23 took over the capitals of two provinces in the DRC. M-23 is said to be getting support from Rwanda, which is also reported to have 3,000-4,000 of its own troops located there.

It all goes back to 1994, the year of the genocide in Rwanda, when a large number of people fled to the DRC, including some of the extremists who took part in the killings.  They were Hutu militia groups, who were anti-Tutsis. They ended up taking part in the overthrow of the government for the DRC and from there, there has been no peace.  The M-23 group, a Congolese Tutsi group, emerged in 2012, and has become the strongest of the various militias.  It got its name from a peace deal signed on March 23, 2009, but claimed that the Congolese government never fully implemented.  It is said that there are about 6,000 soldiers in M-23 but that their backing, support and firepower comes from Rwanda. Rwanda denies this.  Countries like the UK, however, have begun to suspend bilateral aid to Rwanda because of the connection.

The big question is what do they want?  The first thing that is said is that they want to protect Tutsis who have been discriminated against for many years.  They also say they are going after Hutu extremists.  But another reason is natural resources.  This region is rich in natural resources, especially gold, cobalt, and coltan, essential for electronic devices.  However, M-23 says their objective is not to use natural resources but to take the DRC from the current government, which they say is corrupt. 

Wherever M-23 goes, it establishes administration and issues new birth certificates, making it look like a long-term occupation.  Hundreds of thousands have been killed; many more than one million are displaced for many years.  So much trauma, including sexual abuse, in these camps.

Since January, more than 500,000 have been displaced, and recent fighting has caused more than 120,000 refugees to spill into Burundi.  53% of those arriving are children, 51% are women and girls.  But the more immense fear is that they will not be safe, even in Burundi.  Burundi's security is now at risk.

Peace talks were held this past weekend, led by the former presidents of Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Kenya and representatives from the ICC.  

Sometimes these stories can feel "old" especially as new wars take our attention.  But imagine thirty years of war with little to no respite. 

The work being done by our partner in Burundi is exploding with potential right now, and we pray against any discouragement or disruption in the doors that God seems to be opening for the flourishing of the people there, who have had their own very long civil war that ended not that long ago.

Please pray for peace in this region and that a regional war does not break out.