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The international community contributes to the  United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). In addition the international community gives aid and has placed sanctions on armed groups in order to weaken them.

The government of the DRC's power is centralized in the capital, Kinshasa, and the farther one goes from the capital the less control the government has. This is in part due to limited infrastructure and the general weakness of the government. Because of this rebel groups can operate easily in the dense bush and evade the army.

In terms of conflict minerals the international community has both exacerbating and  ameliorating dynamics. The consumption of conflict minerals (used in phones, computers, and other electronics in addition to diamonds and metals) drives the demand. But there has been legislation seeking to limit the flow and trace them similar to the Kimberly Process.

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The DRC has vast amounts of minerals and other natural resources. Controlling these areas and mines leads to wealth and fighting over territory. In rebel controlled areas it is common for the local people to have to pay taxes to the rebels or be harmed.

Armed groups such as the FDLR have historically given Rwanda an incentive to act militarily or create it's own rebel groups to fight those that oppose it. Rwanda has backed both CNDP and M23.

Through the pressure placed on Rwanda and the cuts in foreign aid the Rwandan support of M23 seems to have lessened or stopped.

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