It’s been over six decades since the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared independence, yet its eastern provinces remain trapped in a vicious cycle of violence, resource plunder, and geopolitical intrigue. Recent developments, such as the resurgence of the M23 rebel group and escalating tensions with Rwanda, paint a grim picture of a conflict deeply entrenched in colonial legacies of exploitation and control. If you listen closely, you can still hear the echoes of King Leopold II’s rubber whips and mining drills in the cobalt mines of today.

The current conflict in the DRC is not just a crisis of governance or ethnic tensions but a direct continuation of a colonial project rebranded for the 21st century – this time powered by smartphones, electric cars, and multinational greed.

After a period of dormancy following their 2012-2013 rebellion (due to military defeat and the subsequent Nairobi peace agreement of 2013), the March 23 Movement (M23) militant group has returned with a vengeance, capturing strategic territories of the North Kivu province and wreaking havoc on civilian lives. The DRC government accuses Rwanda of backing M23 – a claim supported by a United Nations report, which details the logistical and financial support provided to the group. Rwanda, naturally, denies these allegations, leaving us with a geopolitical finger-pointing contest while over 1.5 million people are displaced in eastern Congo.

The resurgence of M23 coincides with heightened global demand for the DRC’s mineral wealth, particularly cobalt and coltan, which are essential for rechargeable batteries and other high-tech gadgets. As the world races toward a “green future,” the DRC is paying the price, both in blood and in sovereignty.

To fully grasp the origins of Congo’s endless conflict, we must go back to 1884, when European powers met in Berlin to carve up Africa like a birthday cake – without a single African at the table. These artificial borders lumped together diverse ethnic and religious groups, while dividing natural communities and resources. For the DRC, a nation with over 200 ethnic groups, the ultimate result was a fragile state structure with no natural cohesion.

Post-independence, these colonial borders became the stage for a new battle: identity politics. Leaders manipulated ethnic identity to divide communities, fueling conflicts over land, resources, and power. What’s worse, multinational corporations have exploited these divisions to secure control over........

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