Rwandan-backed rebels known as M23 have been raiding villages in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, causing chaos and displacing many people from their homes. In response, the DRC’s army has rearmed and mobilised local militia groups called Mai Mai to fight back. Journalist Hugh Kinsella Cunningham accompanied these government-backed militia on a counterattack mission to recapture villages along the eastern edge of the DRC.
During his trip, Cunningham observed the young fighters, some of whom were teenagers, drugged and vulnerable. He captured a poignant photograph of some of these young fighters, highlighting the cycle of violence that continues to suck in vulnerable youth in the region. Despite efforts to break this cycle, the conflict persists, with villages being destroyed by both rebel fighters and government-backed militia.
Cunningham reflects on the impact of conflict in the DRC, where millions of people have been displaced, and the sense that it deprives individuals of the opportunity to define their own histories. His work has been recognized with the ICRC Humanitarian Golden Visa for his photojournalism in the eastern DRC. His photographs are on display at the Visa pour l’Image festival in France.
Born in London in 1994, Cunningham is a self-taught photographer influenced by Jamie Hawkesworth. His work has been awarded prestigious prizes, including the Amnesty International award, but he has also experienced low points while covering challenging stories. Cunningham’s top tip for photographers is to always do that one extra thing to capture the essence of a story.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com
