Emile Ilunga Kalambo is a politician and former leader of the Rally for Congolese Democracy–Goma

Rally for Congolese Democracy–Goma

The Rally for Congolese Democracy–Goma was a faction of the RCD , a rebel movement based in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo during the Second Congo War .After the war, some members of the group continued sporadic fighting in North Kivu.The movement also entered mainstream...

 (RDC-Goma) rebel movement.

The RCD, operating in the east of the DRC, was a major factor in launching the Second Congo War

Second Congo War

The Second Congo War, also known as Coltan War and the Great War of Africa, began in August 1998 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo , and officially ended in July 2003 when the Transitional Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo took power; however, hostilities continue to this...

 (1998-2003), a rebellion against the government of Laurent-Désiré Kabila

Laurent-Désiré Kabila

Laurent-Désiré Kabila was President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from May 17, 1997, when he overthrew Mobutu Sese Seko, until his assassination by his bodyguards on January 18, 2001...

. At first the RCD was led by Professor Ernest Wamba dia Wamba

Ernest Wamba dia Wamba

Ernest Wamba dia Wamba is a senator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was the vice president of the Senate Permanent Commission on Legal and Administrative Matters in the transitional government. Previously, he was commander of the Kisangani faction of the rebel Rally for Congolese...

.
A split developed in the RCD between November 1998 and May 1999.
Several attempts were made on Wamba dia Wamba's life, and in May 1999 he was ousted from the leadership.
Dr. Emile Ilunga was named leader of the mainstream Rwanda-backed faction known as the RCD-Goma from its base in the town of Goma.
Ilunga is a medical doctor from Katanga

Katanga Province

Katanga Province is one of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Between 1971 and 1997, its official name was Shaba Province. Under the new constitution, the province was to be replaced by four smaller provinces by February 2009; this did not actually take place.Katanga's regional...

. His faction of the RCD was dominated by Rwanda

Rwanda

Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...

, which wanted to eliminate hostile Interahamwe

Interahamwe

The Interahamwe is a Hutu paramilitary organization. The militia enjoyed the backing of the Hutu-led government leading up to, during, and after the Rwandan Genocide. Since the genocide, they have been forced out of Rwanda, and have sought asylum in Congo...

 militia forces that it believed Laurent Kabila was supporting.