Nkunda 's motivations for the conflict were stated as a desire to protect Tutsi people from persecution by Hutus , some of whom had participated in killing Tutsis in the 1994 Rwandan genocide and had fled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to be supported by the government . Nkunda 's aspirations included fragmenting the Congo into ethnically-divided states . As of November 4 , 2008 , tensions remained high as commentators speculated about the involvement of Rwanda , who is said to be affiliated to Nkunda by Congolese officials . Unofficial reports by civilians stated the presence of uniformed Rwandan soldiers fighting alongside rebel forces , though Rwanda officially denied these reports . The Congolese government , meanwhile , asked allied Angola to supply reinforcements in anticipation of Rwandan activity . The conflict has displaced almost a million people since it started , estimate some aid groups
Rwandan genocide
Rwandan genocide
2008 Nord-Kivu campaign