M23 rebel group strengthens in eastern Congo under new leadership

The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, has gained strength in eastern Congo, recently taking control of Goma. A new leader, Corneille Nangaa, has emerged, shifting the group's identity from an ethnic Tutsi faction to a more diverse, Congolese nationalist group. Nangaa, a former electoral chief, leads the revamped M23 under the Congo River Alliance, which includes various political and military factions. This change aims to provoke discussions on autonomy in eastern Congo, distancing the group from its previous ethnic focus. Unlike their 2012 campaign, the current M23 seeks to establish a civilian administration in Goma and address local grievances. With around 6,500 fighters, the group is now seen as a significant threat to the Congolese government, supported by an estimated 4,000 Rwandan troops.