Who is M23 in DRC? What is their history? Conspiracy

Introduction

The March 23 Movement (M23) is a rebel group operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), primarily in North Kivu province. Here’s an overview of their history and background

Background

Sultani Makenga. General Sultani Makenga (born 25 December 1973) is a Congolese rebel leader and the military chief of the March 23 Movement (M23), a revolutionary group based in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Makenga is an ethnic Tutsi and was raised in North Kivu.

Rwanda has 20 % Tutsi in Rwanda but the President says ‘We do not call ourselves Tutsi or Hutu’: the new Rwandans, three decades after the genocide’

Both Presidents of Burundi and Rawanda are Hulu origin the more reason to support the Tutsi rebels in DRC to bring instability.

Origins and Formation

M23 emerged from the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP), a previous rebel group that signed a peace agreement with the DRC government on March 23, 2009. The group’s name, “M23,” refers to this date. In April 2012, nearly 300 soldiers, mostly former CNDP members, mutinied against the DRC government, citing poor conditions in the army and the government’s failure to fully implement the 2009 peace deal.

Composition and Leadership

M23 is primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis and claims to protect Tutsi and other Kinyarwanda-speaking minorities in eastern DRC. The group was initially led by Colonel Sultani Makenga, with Bosco Ntaganda (known as “The Terminator”) playing a key role in its formation.

Military Actions and Territorial Control

Since its formation, M23 has been involved in significant military actions in eastern DRC:

In November 2012, M23 captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.

After a period of relative inactivity, M23 reemerged in 2021 and has since made substantial territorial gains.

As of January 2025, M23 controls several major towns in eastern North Kivu, including Bunagana, Kiwanja, Kitchanga, Rubaya, and Rutshuru.

Allegations of Rwandan Support

While M23 is not directly composed of Rwandan rebels, there are strong allegations of Rwandan support:

The DRC government, the United Nations, and several other countries accuse Rwanda of backing M23 with troops, weapons, and other resources.

UN experts estimate that up to 4,000 Rwandan forces may be operating alongside M23 in the DRC.

Rwanda consistently denies these allegations, though it has acknowledged having troops in eastern DRC for security reasons.

Human Rights Concerns

M23 has been accused of numerous human rights violations, including:

Summary executions, rapes, and forced recruitment of civilians, including children.

Deliberate attacks on civilians and displacement of large populations.

Use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas.

Current Situation

As of January 2025, M23 continues to be a significant destabilizing force in eastern DRC:

The group has recently captured strategic towns like Minova, bringing them closer to Goma.

Their actions have led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and escalating tensions between the DRC and Rwanda.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of several UN peacekeepers and prompted emergency UN Security Council meetings.

Conclusion

In summary, while M23 is not directly composed of Rwandan rebels, it is a Tutsi-led rebel group operating in eastern DRC with alleged strong ties to Rwanda. Its actions continue to have significant implications for regional stability and civilian safety in the Great Lakes region of Africa.