DR Congo

The eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been contested for three decades by armed groups, the Congolese state and neighbouring governments. The current phase combines the M23 insurgency and its disputed external backing, an externally brokered mediation and sanctions track, and competition over the cobalt, coltan and copper deposits that sit in and around the same territory. The United States, China, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and the United Nations mission are all engaged.