Kinshasa: United States President Donald Trump has said that the long conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has come to an end. But on the ground the reality looks very different.

The M23 rebel group continues to gain strength and expand its control across North Kivu province. Instead of stepping back after recent peace deals signed between Congo and Rwanda, the rebels have increased recruitment, strengthened command structures and taken over new territories.

Reports from local officials and residents show that M23 has built a parallel administration with its own tax system, border officers and appointed local leaders. Schools, markets and security services now operate under rebel control in several towns.

The group also controls mines that produce valuable minerals such a

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