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Picture Courtesy:  TIMES OF INDIA

Context: 

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group agreed to a truce, known as the Doha Declaration of Principles. 

DR CONGO M23 CONFLICT

What is the M23 Rebel Group?

The M23, or "March 23 Movement," is a rebel military group, active in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), mainly composed of ethnic Tutsi fighters. 

M23 was established in 2012 by former members of the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), a Rwandan-backed rebel group largely composed of Rwandan-Congolese fighters.

The group intensified its activities in 2021. 

Seizure of Key Towns (Jan-Feb 2025) => The M23 launched a major offensive, seizing control of strategic towns like Goma and Bukavu, and established parallel administrations. 

• This move escalated the crisis and brought international attention.

Recent Ceasefire (July 2025) => The DRC government and the M23 rebels signed a "declaration of principles" in Doha, Qatar. 

• This agreement included a "permanent ceasefire" and a commitment to "dialogue and negotiation" for the return of refugees and displaced persons. 

Why is Eastern DR Congo a Hotbed of Conflict?  

• Historical Roots => Traced back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The presence of various armed groups, including remnants from the genocide, has fueled instability and cross-border tensions. 
• The "Resource Curse" => Eastern DRC is rich in minerals like coltan, cassiterite, gold, and lithium – crucial for modern technology. This abundance has become a curse, funding armed groups and incentivizing various actors, both internal and external, to maintain instability for illicit mining and trade. 

About DR Congo

• The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a country in Central Africa. 
• By land area, it is the second-largest country in Africa and the 11th-largest in the world. 
• The national capital and largest city is Kinshasa, which is also the economic center. 
• The DRC is rich in natural resources such as industrial diamonds, cobalt, and copper.
• The country is bordered by the;
  • Republic of the Congo, Angola, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the west
  • Central African Republic and South Sudan to the north
  • Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania (across Lake Tanganyika) to the east
  • Zambia and Angola to the south.
• It has famous lakes like Lake Tanganyika, Lake Albert, Lake Edward, Lake Kivu.

Source: TIMES OF INDIA