To untangle the politico-military intricacies that bind the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and M23 rebels requires peeling back layers of complicity and deception. To get closer to the root causes of the conflict in the Eastern DRC, one must dig deep into the murky waters of political maneuvering, military alliances, and historical grievances.

The situation in that part of the country is not simply a conflict between government forces and rebel groups; it is a web of deceit, complicity, and historical ironies that continue to haunt the region.

At the heart of this quagmire is the FDLR (Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda), a group whose origins are deeply rooted in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda— which has managed to survive and even thrive in the eastern regions of the DRC.

The FDLR has maintained its presence through a combination of terror, resource exploitation, and, more—a disturbing paradox: the overt protection bestowed upon it by those vowed to disarm them, the Congolese government and military.

The DRC government, under both former President Joseph Kabila and current President Félix Tshisekedi, has repeatedly pledged to disarm and neutralize armed groups like the FDLR. However, these promises have often rung hollow. The reality on the ground tells a different story—one where the FARDC (Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo) has, at times, collaborated with the very forces it vowed to dismantle.

MONUSCO's Controversial Role and International Complicity

During President Joseph Kabila’s tenure, the flaws in the government's approach were unambiguous in his approach against. In 2013, the DRC, with the support of the United Nations’ Intervention Brigade under MONUSCO—comprised of troops from Malawi, South Africa, and Tanzania, achieved a significant victory by bringing down the M23. This victory was supposed to be followed by a concerted effort to dismantle the FDLR. Yet, the promise of subsequently dismantling the FDLR dissipated into thin air.

More disturbingly, alongside an Intervention Brigade integrated within MONUSCO during the offensives against the M23, there were instances of cooperation between the FARDC and the FDLR, a scenario that should have never occurred given the latter's dark heritage. This unholy alliance was not just a betrayal of the Congolese people’s trust but also a grim reminder of the deeply entrenched networks that perpetuate instability in the region.

Fast forward to the present, and the echo of these missteps resonates with eerie similarity. The current situation under President Felix Tshisekedi reflects a haunting continuity of these blunders. Despite repeated assurances to the international community, there have been reports of FARDC elements continuing to work with the FDLR. This collaboration has taken on new dimensions with the involvement of external forces, including the Burundi Army and SADC (Southern African Development Community) forces.

These forces, ostensibly deployed to assist the DRC government in its fight against the M23, have reportedly ended up bolstering groups with FDLR affiliations through military training and logistical support and Intelligence sharing.

This disquieting alliance further complicates the landscape of loyalty and deceit. In 2024 there is a tale that repeats itself with sobering consistency: MONUSCO's partnership with armed so-called "Wazalendo” groups, knowingly intertwined with the FDLR, stirs the cauldron of controversy and casts a pall of skepticism over United Nations and international community intentions. UN—supported initiatives raise dire questions, especially when logistical support and intelligence-sharing appears to reinforce groups like the FDLR against the M23's resurgence. Such actions discredit the UN’s commitments to peacekeeping and bear the stains of shame for those powers entrusted to fortify unity and security.

Moreover, these developments reveal a shocking indifference to the rise in hate speech and targeted violence against specific ethnic groups—whereby lynching and cannibalism have become commonplace. The inter-ethnic tensions, exacerbated by a history of prejudice and often leveraged by opportunistic forces, present an alarming trend that demands immediate attention.

The persistence of genocidal forces like the FDLR and its progeny – Nyatura, CODECO, and smaller syndicates of disorder – carry the torch of hatred forward, unextinguished due to systemic complicity. Support, whether direct or oblique, from government factions, Burundi, SADC, and the UN, leaves disarmament a dim prospect, its beacon faint and wavering.

Beneath the shadow of these existential threats, the slander of hate speech thrives. The Congolese Tutsi, Hema and Banyamulenge find themselves the nucleus of directed violence. These groups have been repeatedly targeted, vilified, and subjected to horrific acts of violence, including lynching and even cannibalism.

There is a resurgence of anti-Tutsi sentiments rippling through communities and media channels alike. These ethnic groups bear the brunt of a history that cyclically visits upon them the specter of genocide, attempting to paint them once more as outsiders in their ancestral lands.

A call to action

The world has to be aware of what is happening that can’t be ignored. Awareness extends beyond recognizing these injustices; it demands a meticulous excavation of the truth beneath a myriad of distorted narratives. Genocidal and racist ideologies have found fertile ground in a society scarred by years of conflict and manipulation.

Conspiracy theories that paint the Tutsi as outsiders and invaders have been propagated, further deepening the divisions within the country. These narratives, if left unchecked, could lead to a repeat of the horrors that the region has witnessed in the past. Fighting anything that fan the flames of discord in our region, stands as our collective responsibility.

The question that now looms before the international audience is one of action and moral imperative. It is insufficient to merely witness these complexities; each one is summoned to participate in the rectification of these grievances. A call to action beckons for conscientious support, for educational endeavors that unveil and dismantle racist undercurrents, and for a commitment to disseminate verified information that brings light to the obscured truths.

Disarming the FDLR and its allied groups must be a priority. This task cannot be accomplished through half-hearted measures or covert collaborations. It requires a concerted effort, backed by genuine political will and the unwavering support of the international community.

The spread of hate speech and genocidal ideologies must also be tackled head-on. This involves not just legal measures but also educational initiatives that challenge and dismantle the racist narratives that have taken root in Congolese society.

Furthermore, there is a need for greater transparency and accountability within MONUSCO and other international bodies operating in the DRC. The trust of the Congolese people has been eroded by years of perceived complicity and failure. Restoring this trust will require a commitment to truth, justice, and genuine efforts to bring lasting peace to the region.