The controversial move by Rwanda to send a force into North Kivu, in eastern Congo, has seen allegations of human rights abuses levelled at both the rebels and the Rwandan army. Aid agencies have accused U.N peacekeepers of failing to protect the people caught up in the violence.

With the Rwandan army’s withdrawal it is left to the Congolese army to attempt to find a solution to this ongoing tragedy. According to reports, the U.N force in Congo will be part of future operations in South Kivu, but this divisive and debilitating conflict is far from over.