THE RISE OF ARMED GROUPS IN DRC; ANALYSIS OF THE EMERGENCE AND PERSISTENCE OF ARMED GROUPS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE RECURRING CONFLICT IN THE TERRITORY.

Since 1998 to the present time, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has faced ongoing instability due to the persistent activities of numerous armed groups in the territory, making it one of Africa's most enduring humanitarian crisis zones. These militia groups are comprised of local and foreign armed groups, and they are located in the eastern part of the DRC. These armed groups are driven by complex motives, which are political ambitions, ethnic tensions, and economic interests. Their growth and persistence have been shaped by factors such as the aftermath of regional wars, the government's limited control, competition over valuable resources, and unresolved local disputes. The groups are known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), March 23 Movement popularly known as (M23), Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and other various groups such as Amka jeshi, and Chini ya Tuna. These groups are frequently involved in severe human rights violations, sexual violence, mass killings, child soldier recruitment, and forced displacement of civilians. Although disarmament initiatives, military campaigns, and peacekeeping missions have been deployed, they have had limited effectiveness due to the complex nature of the conflict and the broader geopolitical landscape. Gaining a clear understanding of the drivers, dynamics, and consequences of these armed actors and the lasting solution to restore peace in the territory is crucial to establishing lasting peace and stability in both the DRC territory and the Great Lakes region.