The AFC-M23 rebels, with Rwandan Defense Forces support, captured Bukavu and Goma in North Kivu, establishing a rival government and imposing relocations of displaced persons amid ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC. This shift in power highlights the vulnerabilities of the DRC’s military and creates new challenges for local communities.
On January 28, following the fall of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the AFC-M23 rebel group, supported by approximately 4,000 soldiers from the Rwandan Defense Forces, advanced to capture Bukavu just two weeks later. This takeover occurred with minimal resistance, underscoring the disarray of the DRC’s military forces, known as FARDC, alongside their Burundian allies and pro-government militias.
Currently, the M23 and its political arm, the AFC, are attempting to create a parallel governance system in the areas they have seized, contrasting the regime of President Félix Tshisekedi, who has been in power since 2019. Their strategy includes the forced relocation of displaced persons from camps established after the M23’s resurgence in November 2021 to mitigate security threats and showcase the new administration’s authority. However, such relocations lack essential support and safeguards for those affected.
Photographer Paloma Laudet has documented the impacts of this transition from DRC government control to M23 dominance, highlighting the resulting challenges for local populations spanning from Goma to Bukavu, through Monigi and Minova, providing a visual representation of the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
The M23 rebels’ swift territorial gains in the DRC indicate a significant shift in power dynamics, emphasizing the weaknesses of the national military and the complexities of governance in conflict zones. The forced evacuations of displaced camps reflect both a strategy to consolidate control and the urgent need for humanitarian support. As the situation evolves, the implications for civilian populations remain dire, underscoring the challenges faced by those caught in the midst of ongoing conflict.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
