DRC’s leader vows to create ‘unity government’ amid reports police forces have joined rebels

The violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to escalate as several members of the Congolese police force have defected to the M23 rebel group, which recently captured the key cities of Goma and Bukavu.
The defections have fueled local concern, as officers jubilantly joined the rebels, further destabilizing the region. The M23, which claims to fight for the rights of Tutsis and Kinyarwanda speakers, is accused by the government of aiming to exploit Congo’s mineral wealth, including tantalum, tin, and gold. Despite the government’s insistence that Rwanda is backing the M23, Rwanda denies these claims. International pressure for a ceasefire has been mounting, but the rebels have continued their advance, forcing many Congolese soldiers to retreat. Over 1,800 police officers in the area have reportedly laid down their weapons and joined the M23, with hundreds more expected to follow.
In response to the deepening crisis, DRC president Felix Tshisekedi has acknowledged his failure in handling the situation thus far and vowed to reach out to the opposition by creating a “unity government”. Meanwhile, as the M23 rebels continue to seize territory, analysts suggest that their actions are driven by regional and resource-based interests, rather than the claimed protection of the Tutsis. As violence spreads and the region faces economic disruption, local residents express growing fear and frustration, with many calling for an end to the chaos and a return to peace.