A rebel group known as M23, allegedly with links to Rwanda, recently seized the mining town of Rubaya in eastern Congo, which is famous for producing a key mineral used in smartphones. In a statement shared with the Associated Press, a spokesperson for the rebel group declared that the town had been “liberated.” The Congolese army has not commented on the situation, but aid groups in eastern Congo have warned of a new humanitarian crisis linked to the rebel group. The region has been plagued by a long-standing conflict involving over 100 armed groups fighting for control of the mineral-rich area near the Rwandan border, leading to mass killings, rapes, and other human rights violations that have displaced about 7 million people.
Rubaya is home to deposits of tantalum, extracted from coltan, a crucial component in smartphone production. The fall of Rubaya symbolizes the systemic exploitation of minerals in the region, with Congo’s government recently questioning Apple about the use of “blood minerals” in its supply chain. Civil society activists in Goma express concern over the upsurge in fighting between M23 rebels and Congolese army forces, with rebels now advancing towards Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo. The United Nations plans to withdraw peacekeepers from the region by the end of the year, exacerbating concerns about the escalating conflict.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of destabilizing Congo by supporting the M23 rebels, a claim supported by U.N. experts and the U.S. State Department. Rwanda, however, denies these allegations. French President Emmanuel Macron recently urged Rwanda to cease its support for the M23 rebel group during a joint press conference with Tshisekedi in Paris. Analysts view the capture of Rubaya as a significant development in the conflict, as it provides the rebels with access to mining deposits that will enable them to exploit resources in the region. The M23 Movement, composed mainly of ethnic Tutsis, broke away from the Congolese army over a decade ago, staging a major offensive in 2012 when they captured the provincial capital of Goma.
The violence and instability in eastern Congo have created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with numerous armed groups vying for control of the mineral-rich region. The ongoing conflict has led to widespread displacement, with millions of people left beyond the reach of humanitarian aid. The fighting between M23 rebels and government forces has intensified in recent months, particularly around Goma, raising concerns about the city’s safety. With peacekeepers set to withdraw from the region, the situation is expected to deteriorate further, prompting fears of a deepening crisis. The capture of Rubaya by the rebels highlights the ongoing struggle for control over valuable mineral resources in eastern Congo, perpetuating the cycle of violence and exploitation in the region.
