M23 IS FIGHTING FOR MINERALS NOT TUTSIS

The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group’s violent actions in eastern DR Congo have nothing to do with ’protecting Tutsis’ - and everything to do with Congolese resources. That’s according to General Kayumba Nyamwasa, a former Rwandan army chief-of-staff.

He argues that the issue of protecting the Banyamulenge - that is, the Congolese Tutsis (singular: Mnyamulenge) - was settled with the Sun City Agreement in 2002, which formally ended the Second Congolese War.

He says the touted idea that Rwandan proxies (such as M23) are fighting to stop the marginalisation of, and violence against, Tutsis is nothing but a cover for a resource grab. He points to the appointment of Banyamulenge figures to senior Congo government positions to back up his claim.

In DRC’s Rubaya, which was captured in 2024, the M23 controls mining production, trade and transport, according to UN experts - with profits of more than $800,000 a month, and the minerals routed to Rwanda.

The rebels’ recent offensive on Goma led to more than 900 deaths, with over 2,800 injured (UN).

Sources:

Uganda-DRC cooperation spooked Kigali
https://africacenter.org/spotlight/rwanda-drc-risk-of-war-new-m23-rebellion-emerges-explainer/

M23 Rubaya
https://archive.ph/HA8kK#selection-5111.215-5111.325

Goma death toll
www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/2/2/more-than-700-killed-as-dr-congo-military-fights-m23-rebels