A very simple guide to the Democratic Republic of Congo conflictPublished at 11:55 GMT
image source, AFPThousands of people evacuated from Goma city as M23 entered the city
What is happening now?
Fighters from the Tutsi-led rebel group M23 have reportedly taken control of much of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Goma after a rapid advance.
Goma is an important trading hub and also has access to mining towns that supply in-demand metals and minerals such as gold, tin and coltan.
How long has the fighting been going on in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
The mineral-rich east has been in conflict for more than 30 years.
Various armed groups have competed with central authorities for control of power and potential wealth in this vast country.
This instability has had a devastating effect on neighboring countries, and in the 1990s two major conflicts, known as the African World Wars, were infamous, resulting in millions of deaths.
Who is M23?
M23 was formed in 2012 as a separate rebel faction, ostensibly to protect the Tutsi population in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, who had long complained of persecution and discrimination.
The rebels were expelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo, but took up arms again in 2021 after years in exile.
What are the accusations against Rwanda?
The Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Nations say M23 is supported by Rwanda. Rwandan authorities have neither confirmed nor denied this.
Last year, a report by UN experts said up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were stationed in the Democratic Republic of Congo supporting M23.
Rwanda in a statement on Sunday did not explicitly deny that it was supporting M23, but said the fighting near its border was a “serious threat” to its “security and territorial integrity.”
He also said Rwanda had been made a scapegoat and blamed the recent fighting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which had refused to enter into negotiations with the M23.
Are there any other people involved?
United Nations peacekeeping forces are supporting the efforts of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s military to suppress M23.
The agreed withdrawal of the United Nations mission, known as Monusco, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been suspended due to the deteriorating security situation.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional group of 16 countries, has also sent troops to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, but has been unable to stop the rebel advance.
South Africa said nine soldiers were killed while blocking a rebel advance into Goma.
The United Nations said three Malawian soldiers were also killed, and the Uruguayan military said one soldier was killed.
Uruguay is part of the United Nations force in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
