Who are the M23 rebels and why are they fighting in eastern DRC

M23 rebels, also called the March 23 Movement, are militants in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While they are for the most part made up of former soldiers that defected from the Congolese army, their roots lie in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, and the ensuing conflicts in the Great Lakes region of Africa. The DRC-based M23 group has been involved in several bloody insurgencies, aiming for political and military control of the region, notably of the mineral-rich corner of North Kivu.
Origins and Formation of the M23 Rebels
In April 2012, the M23 group officially formed after the collapse of the 2009 peace agreement between the DRC government and another rebel group, the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP). Its aim was to integrate CNDP fighters into the Congolese military, a process that was poorly run and characterized the integration as only ‘part integration’ and riled many former rebels. M23 gets its name from the date of the signing of the 2009 peace deal (March 23, hence ‘M23’).
Initially, the M23 rebels were led by soldiers of the CNDP Tutsi army from the region that accompanies the Rwandan-backed militias. The discontents were over the DRC governance: corruption in the government; marginalizing ethnic Tutsis in the region; didn’t obeying peace agreements.

Why Are the M23 Rebels Fighting?
Reasons why M23 rebels are fighting have political, ethnic, and economic causes. Some of the main reasons include:
- Ethnic and Regional Grievances: Members of the ethnic Tutsi M23 group largely come from eastern Congo and have historically been discriminated against and victims of violence by other ethnic groups as well as by the Congolese government. The armed group is fighting to defend Tutsi ethnic rights that have been undermined by other armed groups in the region, including Hutu militias.
- Political Power and Control: The M23 rebels have been pressing for political influence and, above all, control over eastern DRC, especially the precious minerals of the rich North Kivu province. Rich in gold, tin, and coltan, the region has long been a hotspot for armed groups. These resources are controlled highly, and rebel groups seek to control them.
- Failure of Peace Agreements: As explained previously, the M23 group came into being after the collapse of the 2009 peace agreement between the DRC government and the CNDP. Dissatisfied with what some former rebels viewed as an incomplete or unfair integration process, many of those former rebels from CNDP were. They also said the DRC government did not abide by the terms of the peace deal and so they took up arms once more.
- Rwanda’s Involvement: Rwanda has been accused of supporting the M23 rebels, something it denies. However, some experts contend that Rwanda’s backing of the M23 is part of a bid from Rwanda to keep clout in eastern DRC, where ethnic Tutsi populations live in some areas. Rwanda’s government has also been fearful that Hutu militias in the region are operating there — they were responsible for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The involvement of Rwanda is a controversial issue since it compels regional dynamics and relations between the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda.
- Security and Protection of Tutsi Communities: The M23 rebels say they are fighting to protect the Tutsi population in eastern DRC from being attacked by other armed groups, particularly the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), a Hutu militia that fled to the DRC after the Rwandan genocide. These militias have threatened Tutsi communities in the region, and the M23 rebels say they are fighting in defense of their ethnic group against violence.
The Conflict’s Impact on Eastern DRC
Millions of people have been displaced and thousands killed as a result of the M23 conflict in the eastern DRC. There are armed groups in the region, and the position of the M23 rebels has made things even more unstable in an already turbulent zone.
Particularly affected has been Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. Attacks and sieges by M23 rebels in the city have led to the displacement of thousands of civilians, aggravating one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. The fighting has also curtailed development, frozen the lives of the townspeople, and engendered widespread insecurity in the region.
Current Situation
The M23 conflict remains unresolved as of 2025 and the group has continued to mount its military offensives in the region, even after several negotiations aimed at peace and ceasefire agreements. Fighting continued in battles between the Congolese army and the M23 rebels supported by the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission (MONUSCO). Relations have been strained between the two countries, with the DRC’s government also accusing Rwanda of backing the M23 group.
The M23’s military activities have hit some key areas, including Virunga National Park, which is also home to the endangered mountain gorillas. In the region where the park is located, the situation has been unstable it is impossible to control the park with the conservationists, so it is risky both for the livestock and the local population.
Conclusion
The M23 rebels fighting in eastern DRC are in political, ethnic, and economic plight. Their presence has worsened the crisis in the region, driving at least 20,000 people from their homes and destabilizing eastern DRC. Several attempts at peace have been made, however, the conflict remains a challenge for the Congolese government, regional stability, and the protection of important resources, such as the Virunga National Park. The conflict is complex and there remains no easy resolution; long-term political solutions, regional cooperation, and effective peace-building efforts will still be required.
