RVI Usalama Project on Vox Africa
The recent RVI Usalama Project report on the origins and activities of the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), From CNDP to M23: The Evolution of an Armed Movement in Eastern Congo, was featured on the French-language Vox Africa programme ‘Vice Versa’ on 29 November 2012. The Institute’s Great Lakes […]
M23 and the Challenges to Peace in the Eastern DRC
On 17 December 2012, Jason Stearns, director of the RVI Usalama Project, discussed the capture of Goma by the M23 rebel group and the escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at a public event in London. Organized by the Africa Programme at Chatham House, in association with RVI, the event […]
RVI’s Usalama Project report on PARECO
On 23 January 2013, RVI published the third Usalama report on the armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Written by Usalama Project Director, Jason Stearns, PARECO: Land, Local Strongmen and the Roots of Militia Politics in North Kivu describes the origins and activities of this mainly Hutu coalition. A French […]
RVI Usalama Project reports on Ituri district, DRC
On 25 January 2013, RVI published the fourth and fifth Usalama Project reports on armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). UPC in Ituri: The External Militarization of Local Politics in North-eastern Congo describes the origins and activities of the mainly Hema Union of Congolese Patriots in Ituri district. It was written by […]
RVI Usalama Project report on Raia Mutomboki
On 5 April 2013, RVI published the sixth in its series of Usalama Project reports on armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Raia Mutomboki: The Flawed Peace Process in the DRC and the Birth of an Armed Franchise describes the origins, rapid evolution, expansion and activities of this diverse force. The group […]
Unfriendly neighbours in the Kivus
A recent report from the UN Group of Experts accuses high-level Rwandan defence officials of backing a Congolese military coup earlier this year, which displaced 200,000 people. Known as M23, the group of mutineers has allegedly received money, political backing, manpower and weapons. The UN investigation’s findings would mean that Rwanda has been violating UN […]
Congo’s Weak Peace Process
The M23 Congolese rebel group (Guardian), widely thought to be backed by the Rwandan government, has been making significant gains in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in recent weeks. The rebels occupied the vital city of Goma for ten days in late November, but withdrew this past weekend amid mounting international pressure. The rebels were […]
Kabila in tight spot after Goma flare-up
Congo's M23 rebels have pulled back from the city of Goma but they are calling all the shots, leaving an increasingly isolated President Joseph Kabila with tough military and political challenges. The mining hub of Goma, the main city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, fell to the rebels in November, sparking fears of yet […]
The strength of Congo’s rebel groups
As our team drives out of our Goma hotel, we are told to wait at the barrier. The police commissioner of Goma has just returned to this city. Twelve bodyguards with ray ban sunglasses, clutching semi-automatic rifles and even RPGs surround his car. As we observe the spectacle, someone says under his breath “where were […]
Bosco Ntaganda: Strongman of the eastern DRC
With fighting continuing between rival factions of the M23 rebel movement in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the RVI’s Usalama Project presents a profile of one of the M23’s most important commanders, General Bosco Ntaganda. Despite his indictment by the International Criminal Court on charges of recruiting child soldiers, murder, rape, and sexual […]