Rebuilding eastern DR Congo

Is the recent defeat of M23 rebels a turning point for the region?

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A Congolese army soldier responds to cheers from civilians as the army enters the town of Bunagana, eastern Congo, near the border with Uganda, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. (AP/JOSEPH KAY)

Is the conflict that has claimed more than five million lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo coming to an end? The once powerful M23 rebels suffered a huge defeat by the army on the eastern border. While many are celebrating, experts say a military solution is not enough. And as peace talks continue, many are focusing attention on simmering tensions with neighbouring Rwanda, who the UN have accused of backing rebels. What lies ahead for the DRC? Join us at 1930GMT.

In this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Mvemba Dizolele @MvembaDizolele
Blogger & journalist
dizolele.com

Lambert Mende Omalanja

Minister for Media

Melanie Gouby @Melaniegouby

Freelance journalist

Sekombi Katondolo @katondolo

Head of Mutaani Radio Station

mutaani.com

Malcolm Webb @MalcolmWebb

Al Jazeera correspondent

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

View the story "Rebuilding eastern DR Congo" on StorifyRebuilding eastern DR CongoIs the recent defeat of M23 rebels a turning point for the region?Storified by The Stream· Mon, Nov 04 2013 10:05:08The conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been called the bloodiest since World War II, with more than five million dead, and millions more affected by starvation, disease and sexual violence. Although a ceasefire signed in 2003 officially ended warfare among nine African nations, the eastern region of the Congo has since become a haven for armed rebel groups. The latest threat to political stability, the M23 rebel group appears to be on the decline after a 20-month rebellion, thanks to a UN-backed defeat by the Congolese army (FARDC). @MONUSCO Martin Kobler thanks a peacekeeper for decisive support to the FARDC during offensive against M23 rebels http://twitter.com/MONUSCO/status/396248248001642497/photo/1MONUSCOAfter FARDC entered the last remaining rebel stronghold, Bunagana, DRC President Joseph Kabila told M23 fighters to "demobilise voluntarily", or else the army would "make them do so by force". On Sunday, M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa urged fighters to "immediately end hostilities" with government troops. Translation: Order immediate cessation of hostilities.Order 2 cease all fightings sent from #M23 Chairman 2 military wing in #DRC after #Facilitator signed #Deal #Kampla http://twitter.com/albcontact/status/397062832451096576/photo/1Albert Rudatsimburwa@bbisimwa the #M23 political@leader crossing the border to #Uganda and was disarmed and claimed refuge at 2PM http://twitter.com/Cocodess/status/395728947344072704/photo/1coco kahomboshi

Named after the 23 March 2009 peace accord, which they accuse the government of violating, the M23 rebels number approximately 1,000 soldiers and are mostly from the minority Tutsi ethnic group. M23 claims that they rebelled against the army in April 2012 because they were mistreated and not paid properly. But according to the Congolese government, the mutiny began when Kabila said he would arrest ex-M23 leader Bosco Ntaganda and hand him over to the International Criminal Court. Ntaganda is currently at the Hague awaiting trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the conflict from 2002-2003.

Pic of Human remain found in mass grave in territory formerly occupied by #M23, #crimesagainsthumanity http://twitter.com/FARDC13/status/395532691866529794/photo/1FARDCAccording to a 2012 UN report, Ugandan and Rwandan military officials have provided weapons, ammunition and recruits to the rebels. Rwanda has repeatedly sent its army into neighboring Congo in order to hunt down Hutus who fled from Rwanda after the 1994 genocide. Both Rwanda and Uganda deny allegations that they have aided M23. @AJStream Rwanda&Uganda have negative roles which created a chain of wars and instability in DRC.More of tribal(Tutsi)&looting rolesArnold KapendI've never trusted Kagame. Bloody murderer. He's the reason DR Congo is in its current state plus M7Fred KennedySupport @PaulKagame on DRC issue now. Issue on conflict now coming to light. We should not watch as Kabila used as a pawn to get to Kagame.AntoOne explanation for the M23's recent military losses is the lack of assistance from Rwanda. US Secretary of state John Kerry and UK Foreign Secretary William Hague both separately telephoned President Kagame last Friday, urging Rwanda to stay out of the conflict. Jason Stearns, author of Congo Siasa blog, wrote the absence of support from Rwanda to be the determining factor in M23's demise:"The Rwandans just wouldn't pick up their phone calls," one source close to the M23 leadership told me. This is a drastic change from August, when many sources––the UN, Human Rights Watch, and foreign diplomats––all reported hefty support coming across the border.congosiasa.blogspot.comAnother contributing factor was the heavy hand the UN mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) played in backing FARDC. While the Congolese army did a bulk of the fighting, UN officers were issuing rations, jointly planning operations and providing intelligence, reconnaissance and logistical help. A #UN peacekeeper stands atop Munigi hills, north of #Goma, during #MONUSCO’s operations to take control over ex-#M23 http://twitter.com/MONUSCO/status/389766072418570240/photo/1MONUSCO MONUSCO mission chief Martin Kobler tweeted progress of the joint FARDC-UN attack on rebel-controlled areas. Just back from kiwanja. People really feel liberated. #MONUSCO and #FARDC are holding the townMartin Koblerm23 cessation of hostilities good first step. declaration end of rebellion must follow. the war must end. nofiring at civilians in bunaganaMartin KoblerHowever some netizens were skeptical that M23's defeat was final.@jasonkstearns @moniquebeadle Wish I believed it was. Why wont Rw shelter m23 leaders wait it out then quietly reinstitute pol/econ control?David Aronson@ajstream That shouldn't even be thought of, just because of the offensive it does not mean that the #M23 have been defeated. #EasternDRCAlex MLMany Congolese netizens praised the efforts of their army.picture of civilian showing support for #FARDC, many are happy to see that back of #M23 http://twitter.com/FARDC13/status/396953473972830208/photo/1FARDCThis is how #FARDC moral look like at front-lines. Good looking & brave guys. #DRC #Congo #DRCongo http://twitter.com/adam_McKendi/status/395472601968963584/photo/1_AdamBut with FARDC's capture of M23 territory, some reports claim Congolese soldiers began looting the town of Bungana. It's weird. There was looting in Bunagana, by the #FARDC, but so far, the silence of @MONUSCO and @SrsgKobler is deafening!Olivier NduhungireheFARDC soldiers have a history of improper conduct. Last November, FARDC soldiers raped girls—some as young as 6—who were feeling from M23 rebels. @albcontact @kongoecho @MONUSCO The 'defeat' of the M23 may expose the FARDC in a more negative way un seen before.Mukizawabo.What is the number of #FARDC casualties so far? How many lives has #Kabila sacrificed so far to get the congratulations for lost battles?Albert Rudatsimburwa@FARDC13 As we condemn all the violence of #M23 bandits, our heroes #FARDC shouldnt comit violence to certain ethnic group #weallcongoleseAlain MiruhoIn light of the recent ceasefire, many disagreed whether M23 members should be granted amnesty or punished. @ajstream fight rebels, fight corruption and impunity. take all rebel leaders to court and judge them severely. Take It's reponsabilities!Arsene Tungali@AJStream #DRCongo. The insurgents r congolese. They have sisters and brothers in refugee camps in the neighbourhood. Drc is mother land.Didier@ajstream I dn't think granting the #DRCongo insurgents amnesty will go down well with the locals who lost their families & relatives.Alex MLSome netizens feared that an end to the single rebel group M23 did not mean an end to all violence in the DRC. Besides #M23 #FARDC open war,seems2be a cold war btn Tutsi&Hutu ethinic groups,if nothing is done2avert it a very nasty thing might happen.Ignatius Bahiziso.. the country is liberated after defeating 1 out of 50 armed groups? #M23, #DRCkatabarwa robert