In late 2021, Rwandan-backed rebels known as the M23 began raiding villages in eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, causing chaos and displacing many people. The DRC’s army fought back by rearming and mobilizing local militia groups called Mai Mai. Journalist Hugh Kinsella Cunningham accompanied these government-backed militia on a counterattack against the M23 rebels last October, capturing the turmoil of the conflict through his photographs.
During his time with the militia, Cunningham observed teenagers being sent off to the front lines, often drugged or intoxicated. He noted the vulnerability and lost innocence of these young fighters, as well as the cyclical nature of violence in the region. Despite efforts by humanitarian organizations to support child soldiers in the past, the conflict has continued to escalate, resulting in devastation and displacement for millions of people.
Cunningham emphasized the impact of conflict on communities and the deprivation of the chance to define their own histories. His photojournalism work in eastern DRC has earned him recognition, including the ICRC Humanitarian Golden Visa. His images will be featured at the Visa pour l’Image festival in France. Cunningham’s work aims to shed light on the realities of conflict and its devastating effects on individuals and communities in the region.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com