The reality of what is taking place on the ground in the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) is not easy to conclude with various media pundits, websites and western news outlets spreading misinformation. To believe that those that benefit millions from the destruction of the Congo will not have amassed a worldwide media propaganda campaign for an act that has taken place over 30 years will be ignorant to reality. In this article we help you simplify your understanding of M3, FARDC, FDLR, and their relationship to both the Congo and Rwanda, and the plight of this reality to date.

THE FALSE RUMOURS

There have been numerous rumors suggesting that the M23 rebel group is connected to Rwanda and operates under the directives of President Paul Kagame to extract resources from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which is false. These claims, however, have been heavily influenced by Western narratives that often portray the M23 as a group of marauding militants terrorizing the Congolese people. While it is true that some M23 members share cultural and linguistic ties with Rwanda, the complexities of the group’s origins and motivations warrant a closer examination to separate fact from propaganda.

Pan African president Paul Kagame, a great African leader, widely recognized for his role in ending the Rwandan genocide—a tragic event depicted in the film *Hotel Rwanda*—rose to power in 1994. Under his leadership, Rwanda transitioned from the devastation of the genocide to becoming one of Africa’s most stable and progressive nations. Kagame’s government eradicated tribalism within Rwanda, established a thriving economy, and gained international acclaim for its environmental policies, such as banning plastic bags and maintaining Kigali as one of the cleanest cities in Africa (source). Despite these achievements, Kagame’s continue to pursue sharing pan African ideals on major stages and forums, however his pan-African vision has often been met with resistance from neighboring regimes and Western powers.

In stark contrast to Rwanda’s progress, the DRC remains plagued by mismanagement and exploitation under the leadership of President Felix Tshisekedi. According to Rwandan officiales, hundreds of thousands of Congolese citizens are killed or displaced annually by forces loyal to Tshisekedi’s regime. Paul Kagame made mention to Sophie Mokoena about this in an interview with for SABC news.

M23’s REAL RELATION TO RWANDA

Rwanda has been facing the brunt end of the DRC’s displacement of it’s citizens. Many of these atrocities are disguised as tribal conflicts, yet the primary beneficiaries are multinational corporations exploiting the DRC’s vast mineral wealth, including cobalt, gold, and coltan—critical components for global industries like electronics and electric vehicles (Apple, Tesla, and others have faced scrutiny for sourcing materials linked to unethical practices in the DRC).

Congolese Refugee Camp In Rwanda

The humanitarian crisis in the DRC has forced countless men, women, and children to seek refuge in Rwanda, a sanctuary in an otherwise unstable region. Many of these refugees recount harrowing experiences of witnessing their families massacred by the FDLR, a genocidal militia operating in coordination with Tshisekedi’s FARDC (Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo). The FDLR has been implicated in numerous war crimes, including mass killings, sexual violence, and the recruitment of child soldiers. They are a terrorist group that killed women and children (source) and would soon have the western media blame their atrocities on Rwanda in false articles such as this, all whilst it was Rwanda instead saving and harboring the victims of their evil acts. In 2023, Rwanda told Al Jazeera, it can no longer harbor the refugees from the DRC (Source).

M23 ARE CONGOLESE REFUGEES & ARMY DEFECOTRS; NOT RWANDANS

Over the years, Congolese refugees in Rwanda have grown disillusioned with merely observing the suffering in their homeland. Many have chosen to return to eastern Congo to join the M23 to resist the oppressive FARDC and reclaim their ancestral lands. This resistance, now organized under the M23 banner, includes not only Congolese returnees but the largest numbers are defectors from the Congolese army, the FARDC—soldiers who refused to participate in the ongoing exploitation and oppression of their compatriots. These defectors have been instrumental in strengthening the M23, providing both strategic expertise and weaponry. They have made it their mission to liberate the Congolese people from the oppressive Felix Tshisekedi’s regime, and there are countless videos across different Congolese cities celebrating their liberations.

WESTERN MEDIA; STRATEGIC PAID PROPAGANDA

Western media has seized on the M23’s Rwandan connections to craft a narrative that Kagame’s government is orchestrating a campaign to plunder the DRC’s resources. This narrative conveniently absolves the Congolese government, United Nations peacekeepers, and multinational corporations of responsibility for the exploitation of the DRC’s resources. By framing Rwanda as the aggressor, these narratives obscure the systemic failures and corruption within the Congolese government and its allies. It has done this by creating fake social media ‘media pages’ centered around Congo, hiring popular voices online, hired media pundits that give false reporting, as well as paying independent African media to push this narrative. Choosing what to believe is very difficult without any core visuals of the truth in Congo. What dispels all of these lies, are the celebrations of the Congolese people emerging when liberated by M23.

FARDC, FDLR & UN; ENEMIES OF CONGO

The FARDC is now working with the murderous FDLR, that once blamed their murderous acts and framed them as Rwandan militants. The United Nations security forces is also in cahoots with the Congolese government. Not to long ago, Congolese citizens exposed the United Nations for expropriating resources out of the Congo illegally with a drone.


The UN which is seen here in the video above, looting the DRC is also behind being the main source of media incriminating Paul Kagame for looting the DRC with no proof.

Amid escalating tensions, the oppressive and exploitative forces, the FARDC, the FDLR, and United Nations have fortified positions in Goma, a strategic key city in eastern Congo that gives them direct access to launch and offense on Rwanda.

THE FBATTLE OF GOMA

On January 25, 2025, the M23 issued an ultimatum to the FARDC, giving them 48 hours to lay down their arms and vacate Goma to avoid further bloodshed.

FELIX TSHISEKEDI REJECTS PEACE TALKS

The group’s spokesperson emphasized their desire for a peaceful resolution and extended an offer for peace talks with Tshisekedi—a gesture supported by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who offered to mediate the negotiations. However, Tshisekedi’s government has rejected all proposals for dialogue, escalating the likelihood of a violent confrontation. (source)

However, the M23 has outmaneuvered them, surrounding Goma and isolating the Congolese forces from the rest of the region (source). In response, Tshisekedi’s government sought assistance from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), resulting in the deployment of troops from South Africa and Malawi. The intervention proved costly, with fierce clashes leading to the deaths of nine South African and three Malawian soldiers.

WIN OR LOSE, M23 ARE THE IBRAHIM TROARE’S OF CONGO

As the situation unfolds, the M23’s fight represents more than a battle for territory; it is a struggle for sovereignty and justice in a region long exploited by domestic and international actors. M23 are freedom fighters drowned in the mist of false western propaganda blaming them for the raping and murderous atrocities of the FDLR who are openly allies of the DRC government. The narrative surrounding this conflict underscores the need for nuanced analysis, free from the distortions of propaganda, to understand the true stakes and actors involved in the ongoing crisis.

The truth breaking down the reality in the DRC will be very distorted, even amongst African media outlets. However, with our reporting, nothing is perspective and all is backed up.

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