CONGO-RWANDA | A Growing Crisis?

In June 2023, a high-level UN panel accused Rwanda of supporting an insurgence in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While the Rwandan Government has angrily denied that it lies behind the group, known as M23, many Western states are pointing the finger of blame at Kigali. So, what lies behind the tensions between Rwanda and the DRC? And could we be about to see another Congo War? The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have had a complicated and brutal history. Having been under Belgium’s colonial, they were subject to numerous atrocities. This laid the foundations for difficulties as they gained independence in 1960 and 1962. For its part, exceptionally resource-rich Congo was immediately plunged into a brutal war that eventually saw it come under the dictatorial regime of Mobutu Sese Seko, who renamed the country Zaire. As for Rwanda, it would experience deep intertribal tensions that would result in a genocide in 1994 as the majority Hutu murdered 800,000 Tutsi. This would in turn, see the overthrow of Mobutu. But the allies soon turned on each other, sparking a Second Congo War. This would drag in many other African countries, becoming known as Africa’s Great War or Africa’s World War. But while this ended in 2002, tensions continue. since then, Rwanda has continued to have a major influence over the DRC, supporting a major insurgency in the country’s east. This has again been highlighted by the UNbGroup of Experts. So, could we see a new conflict between Rwanda and the DRC? *MY NEW BOOK!* Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know Oxford University Press Amazon *SUPPORT THE CHANNEL* Hello and welcome! My name is James Ker-Lindsay, and here I take an informed look at International Relations, conflict, security, and statehood. If you like what you see, feel free to subscribe. If you want more, including exclusive content and access to the channel Discord server, please consider becoming a Channel Member or support me through Patreon. I would greatly appreciate your support. Thank you! SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER JOIN MY PATREON PAGE *VIDEO CHAPTERS* 00:00 Introduction and Titles 00:48 Congo, Rwanda and Forms of War 02:20 DR Congo and Rwanda: Location and Population 03:27 The Belgian Colonisation of Central Africa 04:41 The Creation of DR Congo, Rwanda and Burundi 06:20 The Fall of Mobutu and the Rwandan Genocide 07:44 The Second Congo War | Africa’s World War 09:02 Growing Tensions in Eastern Congo 11:35 Rwanda and the Return of M23 13:08 A Third Congo War? *SOURCES AND FURTHER READING* Security Council Report | DR Congo 2013 Congo-M23 Peace Agreement UN Group of Experts | 2022 Report Council on Foreign Relations | DR Congo The War That Doesn’t Say Its Name: The Unending Conflict in the Congo *EQUIPMENT USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO* *DISCLAIMERS* - The contents of this video and any views expressed in it were not reviewed in advance nor determined by any outside persons or organisation. - Some of the links above are affiliate links. These pay a small commission if you make a purchase. This helps to support the channel and will be at no additional cost to you. #Congo #Rwanda #DRC