Yep... Although I can see why he'd make that deal. Grok says it's a shit show.
You’re asking about the sides in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It’s a messy situation with a lot of players, so I’ll break it down to the main groups involved as of now, February 24, 2025. The conflict isn’t a simple "civil war" in the traditional sense—it's more of a mix of internal rebellions, regional meddling, and ethnic tensions, especially in the east. Here’s the rundown:
On one side, you’ve got the Congolese government, led by President Félix Tshisekedi and backed by the national army, known as the FARDC (Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo). They’re trying to hold the country together and assert control over the eastern provinces like North Kivu and South Kivu. The government isn’t fighting alone—they’ve got allies, including a coalition of foreign troops and local militias. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has sent forces, with South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi contributing soldiers to help push back rebels. The UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, has been involved too, though it’s scaling down and has faced criticism for not doing enough. Then there are the Wazalendo, a loose network of pro-government militias, some of whom are ethnic-based "Mai-Mai" groups that fight to protect their communities. The government has also been accused of working with the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), a Hutu militia with roots in the Rwandan genocide, though Kinshasa denies this.
On the other side, the main rebel group right now is the M23 (March 23 Movement). They’re mostly ethnic Tutsis who claim they’re defending their people against marginalization and attacks. M23 has been making big moves lately, capturing cities like Goma and Bukavu in early 2025. They’re not just a local outfit—Rwanda is widely accused of backing them with weapons, troops, and logistics, aiming to counter the FDLR and secure its own interests in the region. M23 has also aligned with the Congo River Alliance (AFC), a broader rebel coalition that’s pushing a national agenda, not just a Tutsi one. Rwanda denies direct involvement, but the U.S., UN, and DRC say the evidence is clear.
Beyond M23, there are over 100 other armed groups in eastern DRC, though they’re not all fighting the government directly. Groups like CODECO (Cooperative for the Development of the Congo) in Ituri are more about ethnic feuds—Lendu vs. Hema—than a grand anti-government campaign. The ADF (Allied Democratic Forces), linked to ISIS, is another wildcard, attacking civilians and security forces alike in North Kivu. These smaller factions often fight for local control, resources like gold and cobalt, or just survival, and their alliances shift constantly.