The shifting sands of eastern DR Congo: M23’s war and the continent’s gamble
The Congolese chessboard remains in motion - M23 dominates, the West fumbles, and Africa, torn between unity and self-interest, watches as another peace effort teeters.
When the final chapter of the March 23 (M23) rebellion in eastern DRC is written, it will either tell of the birth of the Kivu Republic, a federalised Congo, the fall of President Félix Tshisekedi, or a power-sharing deal with the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC). Two meetings will stand out as turning points.
There is another possible outcome—M23’s defeat. However, this seems improbable. Unlike in 2012, it now dominates North and South Kivu, controlling much of the DRC’s mineral wealth.
