Accusations of Indiscriminate Shelling by Rwandan Forces and M23 Rebels in Eastern DRC
Human Rights Watch has accused the Rwandan army and M23 rebels of indiscriminately shelling civilian displacement camps around Goma, leading to allegations of significant human rights abuses, including civilian killings and sexual violence. The violence has displaced approximately 2.4 million individuals in North Kivu, as both sides continue to engage in hostilities that violate international humanitarian law.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has denounced the Rwandan military alongside the M23 rebel group for their alleged indiscriminate shelling of civilian displacement camps surrounding Goma, the capital city of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The escalation of conflict in the eastern region has intensified, with at least five recorded incidences of artillery and rocket fire targeting densely populated areas since M23 took control of Sake and moved closer to Goma earlier this year. Particular concern has arisen following multiple abuses attributed to both sides, including civilian killings, sexual violence, and the hindrance of humanitarian assistance, as detailed in an HRW report dated September 26, 2023. Approximately half a million displaced individuals have been adversely affected amid these violent activities. In January 2024, the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) and M23 advanced towards Sake, severely obstructing supply routes leading into Goma, which lies merely 25 kilometers away. This military advancement has facilitated M23’s significant territorial gains in North Kivu, marking its most considerable expansion since re-emerging in 2021. On May 3, 2024, an attack reported between 10 and 11 am resulted in the shelling of camps located 15 kilometers west of Goma, where three rockets were launched from positions held by the Rwandan army and M23. Tragically, this incident claimed the lives of seventeen civilians, including fifteen children. Clémentine de Montjoye, an Africa researcher for HRW, stated, “As fighting between Rwandan and Congolese forces with their allied militias edges closer to Goma, civilians and displaced populations are increasingly trapped in the crossfire and deprived of vital aid.” She called upon both the Rwandan and Congolese governments to refrain from supporting armed factions that violate humanitarian laws and to uphold the protection of civilian lives. Between May and July 2024, HRW conducted investigations in several camps surrounding Goma, including Bulengo, Bushagara, and Mugunga, interviewing 65 individuals comprising survivors and witnesses. This research involved the examination of satellite imagery and various other visual records to assess military positions and civilian damages. The organization shared its findings with both Rwandan and Congolese authorities but received no response. As the intensity of violence continues to escalate, the number of displaced persons in North Kivu has surged to approximately 2.4 million, with alarming reports indicating the use of heavy artillery by the Rwandan military and M23 rebels leading to indiscriminate attacks on civilian locations, thereby raising serious concerns regarding violations of international humanitarian law. Additionally, a report released by Médecins Sans Frontières in August revealed that over ten percent of young women in Goma’s displacement camps had experienced sexual violence between November 2023 and April 2024, with certain camps reflecting figures as high as seventeen percent.
The ongoing violence in eastern DRC has seen various armed groups, including the M23, engage in confrontational actions that predominantly endanger civilian populations. Due to the historical context of Rwandan involvement in the DRC conflicts and the rise of M23, these hostilities have led to sustained humanitarian crises marked by mass displacements and violations of human rights. The situation is further aggravated by the lack of an effective international response and continued regional tensions that perpetuate armed conflicts in this area.
In conclusion, the ongoing hostilities between Rwandan forces and the M23 group in eastern DRC have resulted in significant human rights violations against civilian populations, with extensive civilian casualties and displacements being reported. The denial of humanitarian assistance and violence against vulnerable individuals underscore the dire humanitarian situation as international entities call for accountability and adherence to war laws.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
