According to an expert on conflict and rebel movements in the DRC, Uganda’s involvement with M23, recently confirmed by a UN report, is driven by economic, political, and security interests. Economically, the DRC’s gold and timber are crucial for Uganda, as most of the gold it exports is smuggled from the DRC. For example, the country exported 30.2 tonnes of gold in 2021, despite only producing 2.9 tonnes. Furthermore, the DRC is also important to Uganda as an export market. Politically, Uganda’s involvement with the rebels is partly driven by a desire to counter Rwanda’s influence in the region. Like Uganda, Rwanda also supports the M23 rebels. However, Uganda believes an M23 solely under the influence of Rwanda is a threat to its interests in eastern DRC. Security-wise, Uganda wants to protect its oil infrastructure, which lies in its western region and borders the DRC.
SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION
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