Central to their campaign is the assertion that ethnic Tutsis living in DR Congo are being persecuted. Digging into the status of Tutsis in DR Congo - and how exactly this relates to the M23 uprising - is an extremely complex and sensitive matter that goes to the heart of who is considered to be Congolese.

The United Nations Security Council condemned Rwanda for backing a rebellion in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and ordered its troops to withdraw from the country.

On February 16th soldiers from M 23 marched single-file through the streets of Bukavu, eastern Congo’s second-largest city. The beleaguered remains of the Congolese army had retreated without a fight. Rebel fighters toting grenade-launchers and machine-guns took triumphant selfies in the city’s main square.