M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are trying to
strengthen their grip on areas under their control as they come under
attack by the Congolese army. The residents of rebel-held towns in
eastern Congo, however, are growing weary of the ongoing conflict.At a church in eastern Congo, the faithful pack the pews in what looks like a regular prayer service. But this is not about religion. It's a lesson in rebellion taught at the M23 rebel group's military academy.
The people here, gathered from nearby towns, are being taught the ideology of this group of disaffected soldiers that has controlled territory in eastern Congo since breaking away from the army last year.
M23 rebels are trying to cement control over this area, which they say has been neglected for too long by the government in Kinshasa.
War's strife
Outside the academy walls, though, the rebels have been losing ground to the Congolese army in a week of fighting a few kilometers from the economic hub of Goma, which was held by the rebels for 10 days last year.
