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A leader within the M23 rebel group, which is causing widespread instability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has said a proposed mineral deal between the DRC and the United States will not bring peace to the region or stop the rebel alliance’s military offensive.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, there’s an ongoing war in the DRC that dates back to 2012, when M23 rebels broke off from the Congolese army. At the time, M23 accused the government of failing to honor a peace agreement. The conflict is rooted in ethnic tensions, political power struggles, and the fight to control the region’s vast mineral wealth, including trillions of dollars’ worth of rare earth materials like cobalt, gold, and tin. Rwanda is accused of backing M23 by providing military support, weapons, and logistical assistance—allegedly profiting from the illegal export of these minerals. Rwanda denies the allegations, saying its actions are aimed at securing its border from armed groups operating within the DRC. Throughout the war, M23 has been accused of severe human rights abuses, including mass executions, the recruitment of child soldiers, and rape—leading to mass displacement and a dire humanitarian crisis. After major rebel advances, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi reportedly pitched a mineral deal to the United States in exchange for help stopping M23.
What’s going on now: In an interview with AP, Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC)—a coalition that includes the M23 rebel group—dismissed international sanctions and the proposed minerals-for-security deal between the DRC and the U.S. as ineffective. Nangaa, who has been sanctioned by the EU for orchestrating violence and undermining peace efforts, said the rebellion is driven by deep-rooted national grievances, not foreign interference, and called for Congolese-led solutions.
“We will fight like people who got nothing to lose in order to secure the future of our country,” Nangaa said. He also rejected President Tshisekedi’s alleged offer to the United States, adding: “Trying to bribe the US with mines can undermine US credibility.”
This all comes as media outlets in the DRC report that M23 has not withdrawn from the town of Walikale, despite earlier claims that it had repositioned its forces as a sign of goodwill. Local residents and journalists confirm rebel fighters remain visibly present in the area. “They’re still here this morning. They don’t even look like they’re leaving,” one source told ACTUALITE.CD. Meanwhile, the Congolese army has reinforced its position in Boboro, about 12 miles from the town, as military trucks continue bringing in reinforcements.
