Who is M23?: The real truth
The M23 rebel group is not what mainstream headlines make it seem. It is not a local uprising. It is not a movement of marginalised Congolese citizens. It is a foreign-backed militia, created and controlled to destabilise the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) — and it serves the interests of Rwanda, not the Congolese people.
Since May 2022, the M23 rebel group has been officially classified as a terrorist organisation by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This designation strips the group of any claims to political legitimacy or local representation, recognising it instead as a foreign-backed force engaged in acts of terrorism.
In July 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department (OFAC) imposed sanctions on M23 under the framework of the “Alliance Fleuve Congo,” citing serious crimes including the recruitment of child soldiers, mass rapes, and extrajudicial killings. These sanctions were a direct response to overwhelming evidence of M23’s war crimes and ongoing human rights violations.
In March 2025, the European Union followed suit, officially listing senior M23 leaders after independent investigations uncovered credible reports of systematic abuses in Eastern Congo. That same year, the European Parliament issued a strong condemnation of the group, stating that M23’s actions — including ethnic massacres, forced displacements, and attacks on civilians — may amount to crimes against humanity. These international recognitions reflect a growing consensus: M23 is not a rebel group seeking justice, but a violent proxy force executing a destructive agenda in service of foreign interests.
Where Did M23 Really Come From?
M23 (short for the March 23 Movement) was formed in 2012 by former members of another rebel group, CNDP, which was itself created with heavy Rwandan support. These fighters were supposed to be integrated into the Congolese army under a peace deal signed on March 23, 2009. Instead of honouring the agreement, they turned against the DRC and formed M23.
Within months, M23 had taken control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, committing war crimes, looting, and terrorising civilians.
They were defeated and dismantled in 2013 by the Congolese army with the support of UN forces.
But that was not the end.
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Congo (Kinshasa) Canada Canada Why Why Did M23 Come Back?
In late 2021, M23 mysteriously re-emerged — stronger, more organised, and better equipped than ever. This happened at the same time Rwanda was increasing its economic and military involvement in Eastern Congo. It was no coincidence.
The group launched a new wave of attacks, displacing over 2 million people in North Kivu, and once again threatening to seize Goma. Behind the scenes, the same forces that created M23 in 2012 were pulling the strings again.
The Rwanda Connection: A Proxy Army
M23 does not act alone. It is widely documented — by the UN Group of Experts, by human rights organisations, and by regional observers — that:
Rwanda provides weapons, uniforms, training, and safe haven to M23 fighters.
Rwandan soldiers often fight alongside M23, disguised in rebel uniforms.
M23’s goals align perfectly with Rwanda’s interests: controlling mineral-rich territories, weakening Congo’s state institutions, and maintaining regional influence through chaos.
This is not a rebellion — it is an invasion hiding behind a rebel flag.
What Has M23 Done?
Wherever M23 goes, human suffering follows. They are responsible for:
Massacres of civilians
Sexual violence and rape used as a weapon of war
Child soldier recruitment
Forced displacement of entire communities
Looting of minerals and destruction of local economies
These are not freedom fighters. They are war criminals.
The Dangerous Narrative
Rwanda claims M23 exists to protect Congolese Tutsis. But this is a false narrative used to justify aggression. M23’s actions have not protected anyone — they have caused mass suffering, ethnic tensions, and long-term trauma. Real protection does not come with bullets and lies — it comes with peace, justice, and dignity.
The Real Truth About M23
It is not a Congolese movement.
It is a Rwandan-backed militia.
It is a tool of foreign interference.
It is an obstacle to peace.
Our Position - Grand Kivu Diaspora
We call on the international community to stop using neutral language and face the facts:
M23 is a proxy army of Rwanda.
Congo’s sovereignty is under siege.
Silence equals complicity.
We will continue to speak out until the world recognises M23 for what it truly is — a manufactured militia, not a legitimate force.
M23 will not define Congo’s future. The Congolese people will.
Frequently Asked Questions
This crisis is not a spontaneous civil war or tribal conflict. It is a planned and coordinated campaign, largely backed by Rwanda, using armed militias like M23 to destabilise the Kivu region. The goal is to control land, resources, and political influence — not to protect any community or fight for justice.
Goma is strategically located and rich in valuable minerals like coltan, gold, and cobalt — essential for global tech industries. Controlling Goma means controlling access to billions of dollars in natural resources, which is why it’s central to Rwanda’s proxy strategy.
Rwanda disguises its soldiers as M23 fighters, fuels misinformation, stages fake ceasefires, and uses humanitarian crises to manipulate international opinion. These tactics are designed to avoid blame while continuing their interference in Congolese territory.
M23 is not a grassroots movement. It was created, trained, and funded by the Rwandan government. Although it first appeared in 2012 and was defeated, it resurfaced in 2021 — aligned once again with Rwanda’s growing economic and military interests in Eastern Congo.
No. While ethnic narratives are often used as a smokescreen, the real motive is power and profit. Rwanda and M23 claim to defend certain communities, but their actions have led to widespread violence, displacement, and resource theft — harming the very people they claim to protect.
The first step is to acknowledge Rwanda as the aggressor. We call on the UN, African Union, and world powers to stop hiding behind diplomacy and take action: impose sanctions, cut military aid, and support Congo’s right to sovereignty and peace.
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