The history:

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a country situated in Central Africa. The eastern part of the country has been subjected to invasions in 1994 and 1996 by Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, as well as Congolese armed groups, to invade the DRC and overthrow the Mobutu government.

Once the Rwandan genocide ended, many Hutu’s left Rwanda as refugees due to fear of persecution, this includes Hutu rebels who perpetrated the Rwandan genocide.

Rwanda in the past has accused the DRC of funding a Congo-based, predominantly Hutu rebel group that includes fighters who were involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide; as well as that Rwanda has security concerns surrounding Hutu rebels who border their country.

However Rwanda (with help of Uganda) is likely supporting M23 rebels due to economic interests, as Rwanda is one of the biggest exporters of Coltan & Gold which are both resources that it doesn’t naturally produce.

Currently Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have taken over control significant parts of the North and South Kivu provinces, which include Goma, the capital of North Kivu and Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu; additionally the rebel group has control over areas such as Rutshuru and Kiwanja.

DRC has long accused Rwanda plundering its resources by supporting the M23 rebel group in the east of the DRC, and facilitating illegal mineral transfers.

How to help:

A way we can help the DRC is by boycotting non-essential trips to Rwanda & Uganda as well as goods from said countries in order to stifle their economy so they are eventually made to stop or reduce the illegal activity they are doing in eastern DRC.

Another way we can support DRC is by buying refurbished devices and second hand electric vehicles (if possible) instead of getting them brand new one. This will reduce the demand for Cobalt (a resource that Rwanda doesn’t have an abundance of, yet manages to export in large quantities).

Additionally their are charities that are doing work in the DRC. Please see some of them below:

• Goma Actif helps refugees affected by the fighting in DRC.
• Panzi supports and treats women in DRC who’ve been subject to sexual violence.
• Focus Congo do a multitude of things such as medical relief, education for women & children and much more.

More ways to help:

• Contact your government representatives and urge them to take action to support the DRC. 
• Learn about the root causes of the conflict, the challenges faced by the people of DRC, and the various organizations working to help. 
• Share information about the situation in the DRC with friends, family, and online networks to raise awareness and encourage action.