Understanding the conflict as Trump brings together leaders of Congo and Rwanda for peace negotiations

DAKAR, Senegal U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda for a high-stakes signing ceremony aimed at ending long-standing violence in eastern Congo. The Central African nation has been plagued by decades of armed clashes involving over 100 militias, with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group being the most formidable.

Earlier this year, M23 dramatically advanced by capturing the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu. Multiple peace initiatives, including efforts led by the United States and Qatar, have not succeeded in halting the violence. Recent reports indicate that sporadic clashes and rebel incursions continue across several regions, with both M23 and Congolese forces accusing each other of breaching an earlier ceasefire.

Background of the Conflict

The conflict has deep historical roots. Congo and Rwanda have repeatedly accused one another of supporting armed factions in eastern Congo, a mineral-rich area that also serves as a hub for humanitarian aid. The tensions date back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, during which Hutu militias killed hundreds of thousands of Tutsis, as well as moderate Hutus and Twa communities. In the aftermath, almost 2 million Hutus fled into Congo, sparking cycles of ethnic tension and violence.

Rwanda claims that some Hutu groups that relocated to Congo participated in the genocide, alleging that parts of the Congolese army shielded them. The M23 rebel faction is predominantly composed of ethnic Tutsis who were excluded from the Congolese army and previously attempted an insurgency in 2012. After lying dormant for a decade, M23 reemerged in 2022, citing the defense of Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan descent. Critics, however, argue the group serves Rwandas strategic and economic interests in eastern Congo.

International Involvement and Military Presence

The United States, Congo, and U.N. observers accuse Rwanda of supporting M23. While Rwanda denies direct involvement, it has acknowledged maintaining troops and missile systems in eastern Congo, claiming they are for security purposes. U.N. experts estimate the presence of up to 4,000 Rwandan personnel in the region. M23 itself reportedly grew from a few hundred fighters in 2021 to around 6,500.

Economic Stakes in Minerals

Eastern Congos abundant minerals play a major role in the conflict. The country is the worlds top producer of cobalt, vital for lithium-ion batteries used in electronics and electric vehicles. It is also a leading source of coltan, critical for manufacturing tantalum components found in laptops, fighter jets, and other devices. In 2023, Congo accounted for approximately 40% of global coltan production.

While Rwanda justifies its involvement as protecting its borders and punishing perpetrators of the 1994 genocide, experts point to economic motives. A U.N. report in July suggested that Rwanda benefited from minerals exported from M23-controlled territories, a claim Kigali denied. China and the United States also maintain significant economic interests in Congolese mines. For Washington, securing access to these critical minerals is a strategic priority, particularly to reduce dependence on China, which dominates rare earth mining and processing worldwide.

Impact on Local Population

Despite the regions mineral wealth, ordinary Congolese citizens see little benefit. Around 60% of the countrys 100 million residents live in poverty, with ongoing conflicts over natural resources contributing to political instability and social hardships.

Author: Natalie Monroe