Mass Casualties, Displacement as Conflict Escalates

Over the past three and a half years, eastern Congo has faced one of the deadliest and most destructive conflicts in its modern history. More than 7,000 people have been killed, hundreds raped, and nearly five million displaced, according to reporting by NBC News.

Camps for displaced people have been destroyed, cities looted, and infrastructure reduced to ruins.

The conflict reignited in November 2021 when the rebel group known as M23 attacked military positions near the Rwanda-Congo border. But NBC’s report goes further, revealing what it describes as a “hidden invasion” by Rwanda.

Rwanda’s Denial vs. New Evidence

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has repeatedly denied any involvement. At a 2024 press conference, he defended M23 as a Congolese movement standing up for the Tutsi minority. But a four-month NBC News investigation, involving satellite imagery, drone footage, leaked military reports, and eyewitness interviews, shows otherwise.

The investigation found that Rwandan forces have set up field bases inside Congo, trained M23 fighters, deployed drones and heavy artillery, and even disguised soldiers as rebels. Some 5,000 Rwandan troops are now believed to be operating in the region.

Covert Operations and Cover-ups

NBC News uncovered internal Rwandan military documents acknowledging failed efforts to hide soldier identities. Soldiers were ordered to leave their phones behind and remove their uniform insignia before crossing into the Congo.

There is also mounting evidence of Rwanda forcibly removing civilians, disguising troop movements, and burying fallen soldiers in remote areas to avoid public knowledge. Funerals are tightly controlled, and families are forbidden from mourning openly.

U.S. Peace Talks and Mineral Interests

The timing of NBC’s revelations is key. The U.S. is currently working to broker a peace deal between Rwanda and Congo, partly to secure access to Congo’s valuable minerals. Massad Boulos, a senior adviser in Donald Trump’s team, is leading the negotiations. U.S. officials say American companies are eager to invest in both countries.

However, experts warn that Rwanda’s role in the conflict could complicate any deal.

"Rwanda is not acting in good faith," said Jason Stearns of the Congo Research Group. "Pressure, not just incentives, will be needed to end this war."

Rwanda’s Growing Military Footprint

The report details how Rwandan troops initially withdrew after Congolese forces, aided by foreign contractors and drone strikes, gained ground in 2023. But later that year, Rwanda returned in larger numbers, backed by new military equipment including anti-missile systems and signal jammers.

Satellite images show a sharp increase in new graves at Rwanda’s main military cemetery in Kigali, a sign of rising casualties. Kigali declined to comment on the graves, dismissing such speculation.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The war has displaced millions. UNHCR estimates that 4.6 million people had already been forced to flee before M23 took over the regional capitals of Goma and Bukavu in early 2024. Since then, tens of thousands have crossed into Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda.

UNICEF has reported over 10,000 cases of rape and sexual violence this year alone in the Kivu provinces, with nearly half of the victims being children.

M23 has also been accused of summary executions and forcing civilians off their land. Local and international organizations fear ongoing war crimes, with Human Rights Watch stating that Rwanda may be complicit as M23’s primary backer.

Outlook Remains Uncertain

Despite pressure from Western governments, there is little sign of Rwandan withdrawal. A partial retreat from Walikale in March 2025 is the only visible pullback. Analysts remain skeptical about Kagame’s intentions.

“He’s done this before, approached a deal, then pulled out,” said a diplomat involved in the negotiations. “It’s not clear whether Rwanda is ready to step back.”

NBC’s investigation concludes that while diplomatic efforts continue, the situation on the ground remains highly unstable, with civilians paying the highest price.

Source: This article is based on original reporting by NBC News. Full investigation available on NBC NEWS