There are many rebel groups and local militias operating across the DRC, too many to cover in the scope of this project. The M23 just happens to be more of a recent group, it does not control the most territory, Raia Mutomboki does, nor has M23 caused the most death and suffering. The M23 has created a security vacuum- with all of the focus on this new group others have been able to expand their control.

Considering all of these groups are vital if one wishes for peace in the DRC. A peace deal between the government and M23 would be beneficial, yet it would not solve all of the problems. The M23, like many of these groups, have alliances or ties to each other.

 

In his book Dancing in the Glory of the Monsters, Jason Stearns seeks to understand the complexities of the Second Congo war. In the first few pages he asks: "How do you cover a war that involves at least twenty different rebel groups and the armies of nine countries, yet does not seems to have a clear cause or objective?" The complexities of the war did not simply dissolve with the official end of the war, rather they continue to play greatly onto the psyche of the people, power relationships, and regional relationships.