Despite a much-publicized US-brokered peace deal between Kigali and Kinshasa, violent conflict persists in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rebel groups like M23 and the Alliance Fleuve Congo, which were excluded from the agreement signing ceremony in Washington, remain entrenched in Goma and Bukavu, where civilians face daily violence, hunger, and mass displacement. These rebels dismiss the accord as irrelevant, vowing to continue their fight against the government they deem illegitimate. This stark contrast reveals the immense challenge of translating diplomatic promises into tangible peace, leaving millions trapped in a devastating cycle of violence with no end in sight. Meanwhile, critics say mineral wealth lies at the heart of the conflict, casting doubt on Washington’s claims of “settling” the war.
CNN
