DRC & Rwanda Conflict - Part.1

The wars in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are deeply intertwined, with roots in colonialism, ethnic tensions, and regional power struggles. In Rwanda, the conflict escalated dramatically in 1994 when extremist Hutu militias orchestrated a genocide against the Tutsi minority, killing an estimated 800,000 people in just 100 days. The genocide followed decades of ethnic discrimination and political instability. After the Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) seized control and ended the genocide, millions of Hutu refugees—some involved in the killings—fled to eastern Congo, then known as Zaire.

This refugee crisis spilled into Congo, helping spark the First Congo War (1996–1997), during which Rwanda and Uganda supported Laurent-Désiré Kabila in overthrowing dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. Kabila’s fallout with his former allies led to the Second Congo War (1998–2003), involving multiple African nations and various rebel groups, making it one of the deadliest conflicts since World War II. Eastern Congo, rich in minerals, became a battlefield for competing interests, with local militias, Rwandan forces, and Congolese rebels all vying for control. Despite official peace deals, violence and instability persisted, especially in North and South Kivu.

In the years since, the eastern DRC has remained a hotspot of conflict, largely fueled by unresolved ethnic tensions, weak governance, and competition over resources. Rwanda continues to play a controversial role, accused of backing rebel groups like M23 to protect its interests and prevent attacks from Hutu militias across the border. The Congolese government, backed by UN peacekeepers and regional allies, has struggled to assert control. As of 2025, efforts toward peace are ongoing but fragile, with civilians bearing the brunt of recurring violence and displacement, and tensions between Rwanda and the DRC still threatening wider regional stability.