The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a renewed surge in violence from various armed groups, prompting the UN to deploy peacekeepers to more areas in the east. This comes amidst ongoing clashes between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army, straining resources and raising concerns about civilian safety.
The latest attacks by the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have been particularly deadly, leaving over 100 civilians dead since May. The ADF, originally from Uganda, has become the country’s biggest security threat after the M23.
The Congolese government, along with the Ugandan army, has been conducting a joint operation against the ADF since November 2021. However, the recent attacks raise questions about the effectiveness of this strategy.
The violence has displaced hundreds of thousands this year alone, bringing the total number of displaced people in the eastern provinces to over 5.6 million. The UN’s humanitarian branch is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation and urges all parties to prioritize civilian safety.
Meanwhile, the M23 remains a major concern, with clashes continuing in the strategic town of Kanyabayonga. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the DRC is focused on neutralizing the M23, but the emergence of the ADF requires a broader strategy.
The UN peacekeeping deployment aims to address this need by tackling violence from all armed groups. However, some experts believe the government’s focus on the M23 has neglected other threats.
