Who's who: the forces in eastern Congo
A guide to the armies, rebel groups and militias — and Rwanda's disputed role.
Dozens of armed groups operate in eastern DR Congo. These are the most important players to know.
The state forces
FARDC — the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the national army. It is stretched across a huge territory and has struggled to contain the many armed groups in the east.
MONUSCO — the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo, one of the UN's largest and longest-running peacekeeping operations. It protects civilians and supports the army, but many Congolese see it as ineffective, and it is gradually withdrawing.
The main armed groups
M23 (the "March 23 Movement") — a mainly Tutsi-led rebellion and the most powerful group in recent years. It says it defends Congolese Tutsis; the government and UN experts say it is backed by Rwanda.
ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) — an Islamist group with roots in Uganda, active around Beni. It has been linked to the Islamic State and blamed for massacres of civilians.
FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) — descended from the Hutu forces that fled Rwanda after the 1994 genocide. Its presence is one of Rwanda's stated reasons for involvement in Congo.
Wazalendo — a loose coalition of local, pro-government militias (the name means "patriots" in Swahili) that have fought alongside the army against M23.
The regional dimension
Rwanda — Congo, the UN and several Western governments accuse Rwanda of arming and directing M23. Rwanda denies this and points to the presence of the FDLR near its border. The rivalry between the two neighbours is central to the conflict, and any lasting peace will require an agreement between them.