Rwanda has been a prominent regional player in terms of instability in the DRC beginning with the the mass exodus of Hutu refugees and genocidaires into Eastern Congo  (at the time Zaire) after the Rwandan Patriotic Front ended the 1994 genocide. In refugee camps, a major one being in Goma, radical Hutus reformed rebel groups and attacked both Congolese and Rwandan Tutsi while receiving sympathy from Mobutu’s government.

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In response the Rwandan government, led by Paul Kagame, formed militias to combat the Hutu groups and Congolese government troops. Tutsi groups backed by Rwanda and also Uganda combine with Laurent Kabila and march westward eventually disposing of Mobutu. Kabilia is installed as president but within a year he goes against Rwandan interests. Rwanda then sends a force to oust Kabila. He receives military support from Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Angola. A five year proxy war ensues at the cost of over five million deaths eventually ending in 2003.

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Conflict between Rwandan backed militias and government troops continued until 2008 when both join forces to combat the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) a Hutu militia. Rwanda is again accused of backing rebels, M23, in the East.

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After the UN Group of Experts on the DRC report was published many donors including the IMF, US, and Britain cut aid for Rwanda. This at least appears to have stopped the backing of M23 rebels. Since the genocide, Rwanda has received a lot of aid from Western donors and has been hailed as a beacon of light in Africa because of it fast paced development.

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Interference in the DRC on behalf of Rwanda will not stop until the border is secure and Rwanda does not feel threatened by groups in the DRC. In addition Rwanda can profit from illicit mineral trading. The only way to truly stop Rwandan interference would be to strenghten the DRC and improve conditions within.