Congo’s War: From Genocide to Living by Genocide
TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 3 Feb 2025
Raïs Neza Boneza – TRANSCEND Media Service
Rwanda –> the Israel of Africa
29 Jan 2025 – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains one of the most volatile regions in the world, plagued by persistent conflict, exploitation, and foreign interference. The ongoing offensive by the M23 rebel group in the eastern part of the Congo, backed by Rwanda, highlights the complex web of geopolitics and resource exploitation that fuels instability in the region. This conflict is more than a localized struggle; it represents a broader pattern of global economic interests undermining the sovereignty and well-being of African nations.
The M23 Offensive and Rwanda’s Role
Eastern Congo is once again under siege as the M23 rebels, supported by the Rwandan Defense Force (RDF), overrun Goma, a key city in the region. Despite alleged peace negotiations mediated by Angola, the conflict persists, with Rwanda providing logistical support, arms, and training to the so-called rebels.
The motivation behind Rwanda’s involvement is clear: access to Congo’s vast mineral wealth. By destabilizing the region, displacing local populations, and taking control of resource-rich territories, Rwanda secures a steady flow of valuable minerals, including cobalt, copper, and lithium, at minimal cost. These resources are critical for global industries, particularly in the technology and renewable energy sectors.
Geopolitical Context: The Role of Global Powers
The DRC’s vast mineral reserves have made it a target for international exploitation. The recent discussions in Davos, where Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi sought funding for the Lobito Corridor—a project aimed at improving access to the country’s mineral wealth—underscore the global stakes involved. This project, while framed as an infrastructure development initiative, raises concerns about who will ultimately benefit from Congo’s resources.
Notably, the timing of rebel offensives often coincides with major geopolitical events or resource negotiations. This pattern suggests that the conflict is not merely a local or regional issue but part of a larger global dynamic where Western powers, multinational corporations, and their African proxies vie for control of Congo’s wealth.
Rwanda: The “Israel of Africa”
Rwanda’s role in the Congo mirrors Israel’s position in the Middle East. Both nations, backed by Western powers—most notably the United States—act as regional enforcers, often with little accountability for their actions. Rwanda, like Israel, serves as a proxy for Western interests, ensuring access to resources and maintaining a balance of power favorable to its backers.
This comparison is particularly striking given Rwanda’s involvement in conflicts across Africa, including Mozambique and the Central African Republic, where it protects foreign interests, such as French oil company Total. The Western backing of Rwanda, including military aid from the European Union, underscores the strategic importance of the country as a tool for maintaining influence in Africa.
The US and EU have supported and worked with Rwanda’s invasion and occupation of Congo, which began in 1996 when it was still called Zaire—and it hasn’t stopped since. The mineral trade is so lucrative that in February 2024, the European Commission surprised many Congolese by announcing a “Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains” with Rwanda.
Kagame is a ruthless dictator, but America and Europe turn a blind eye as long as his violence (partly on their behalf) is directed solely at Africans. This reflects a deep-rooted colonial racism at play.
Challenges Facing the Congolese Government
The Congolese government faces immense challenges in addressing this multifaceted crisis. The national army is fragmented, with many former rebel leaders now serving as generals, undermining cohesion and trust. Moreover, the government’s priorities often appear misaligned, with key officials focusing on international engagements rather than addressing the immediate threats at home.
Compounding these issues is the government’s reinstatement of the death penalty during the ongoing conflict. This move, ostensibly aimed at deterring collaboration with rebels, has raised concerns about human rights abuses and the targeting of political opposition.
The Fight for Sovereignty
Since the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, Congo’s struggle for sovereignty has been marked by external interference and internal challenges. The Congolese people continue to fight for control over their land and resources, but they face formidable opponents: neighboring countries acting as proxies for Western interests, multinational corporations, and their own political elite.
The current crisis in Goma is a stark reminder of the stakes involved. As Rwanda proxies threaten the stability of the whole region , the Congolese people are caught in a struggle that is as much about their survival as it is about the future of their nation.
A Call to Action
Internationally, we must recognize the gravity of the situation in the Congo. It is not merely a regional conflict but a reflection of global inequities and the exploitation of Africa’s resources.
Holding Rwanda and its backers accountable is essential to ending the cycle of violence and ensuring that Congo’s wealth benefits its people, not foreign interests exclusively. By the time Trump took office, Rwanda’s annexation efforts in Congo were well underway, with no signs of a policy shift. For both Democrats and Republicans, regardless of race, neocolonialism remains the strategy, leaving the Congolese people to endure ongoing suffering.
The fight for a new Congo continues, driven by the resilience and determination of its people. However, achieving lasting peace and justice will require not only internal reforms but also a fundamental shift in the global approach to Africa—a shift that prioritizes equity, accountability, and respect for sovereignty over profit and power.
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Raïs Neza Boneza is the author of fiction as well as non-fiction, poetry books and articles. He was born in the Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Former Zaïre). He is also an activist and peace practitioner. Raïs is convener of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment for Central and African Great Lakes and uses his work to promote artistic expressions as a means to deal with conflicts and maintaining mental wellbeing, spiritual growth and healing. He has travelled extensively in Africa and around the world as a lecturer, educator and consultant for various NGOs and institutions. His work is premised on art, healing, solidarity, peace, conflict transformation and human dignity issues. Raïs work also as freelance journalist based in Trondheim, Norway. You can reach him at rais.boneza@gmail.com. http://www.raisnezaboneza.no
Tags: Africa, Conflict Analysis, D.R. Congo, Rwanda, Violent conflict, Warfare
This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 3 Feb 2025.
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