M23 rebel group strengthens in eastern Congo under new leader Corneille Nangaa

The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, has gained strength and control over Goma, eastern Congo's largest city. A new leader, Corneille Nangaa, has emerged, shifting the group's identity from an ethnic Tutsi faction to a more diverse, Congolese nationalist movement. Nangaa, a former electoral chief, aims to establish a new administration in Goma and has plans to march towards the capital, Kinshasa. This marks a significant change from the group's previous focus on Tutsi interests and integration into the Congolese army. The M23 now seeks to address broader issues of autonomy and governance in eastern Congo, distancing itself from its past as a Rwanda-backed armed group. Analysts note that this evolution may enhance the group's appeal and influence in the region.