Militias in DR Congo profit from ongoing conflict with M23 guerrillas, exacerbating instability

Local militias in the Democratic Republic of Congo are reportedly benefiting from the conflict between government forces and the M23 armed group, using the instability to gain weapons and profit from artisanal gold mines. The Rwanda-backed M23 controls significant areas in eastern DRC, contributing to widespread violence and hindering development in the mineral-rich region.