The Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been a subject of insecurity and conflict stemming from a mix of local and regional conflicts for decades.

In April 2012, former National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) soldiers mutinied against the DRC government and the peacekeeping contingent of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). The Mutineers formed a rebel group called the March 23 Movement (M23), also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army.

Last year, United Nations experts said they had “substantial evidence” of Rwandan government forces crossing into the DRC to reinforce M23 rebels or to conduct operations against the FDLR.

The United States and the European Union have urged Rwanda to stop supporting the rebels notably by supplying weapons, ammunition and uniforms.

After the United Nations report found that Rwanda created and commands the rebel group known as M23, important European friends such as Britain and Belgium partially suspended aid donations to Rwanda

In its attempt to find a military/political solution to the crisis in Congo, the regional organization of the East African Community (EAC) deployed forces to the territory which is one of its seven member states.