M23 Conflict Drives Mass Displacement in Democratic Republic of Congo

A displacement crisis is intensifying in the Tanganyika province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as thousands of civilians flee ongoing conflict. Displaced people are congregating in camps such as Muganwa and Mulicha, where they face dire conditions including a lack of clean water and high vulnerability to fires.

The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently engaged in heavy fighting with the March 23 Movement, a rebel group supported militarily by Rwanda. Despite a peace accord mediated by the United States over a year ago, the M23 continues to hold territory in North and South Kivu. The rebel offensive in Fizi has pushed civilians further south into Tanganyika.

The influx of refugees is compounding existing instability in Tanganyika, a region already plagued by long-term ethnic clashes. These include conflicts between the Twa and Luba communities and a decade of attacks and pillaging by the Biloze Bishambuke militia.