Escalating Violence in Eastern DRC: Rwandan Forces and M23 Rebels Accused of Targeting Civilians
Human Rights Watch has accused the Rwandan army and M23 rebels of indiscriminately shelling displacement camps around Goma, resulting in civilian casualties and severe humanitarian concerns. The violence has displaced approximately 2.4 million people in North Kivu, prompting urgent calls for increased protection of civilians and cessation of hostilities.
Human Rights Watch has leveled grave accusations against the Rwandan army and the M23 armed group for allegedly conducting indiscriminate bombardments of displacement camps in the vicinity of Goma, the capital of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The escalated confrontations in eastern DRC have raised serious humanitarian concerns as unrest continues to affect the region. Since M23’s takeover of Sake earlier this year, the organization has documented five instances of artillery and rocket fire targeting both extension camps and populated urban locales surrounding Goma. The report, published on September 26, highlights severe human rights violations by both factions, including the killing and sexual assault of civilians, as well as the obstruction of humanitarian aid. Approximately half a million individuals displaced by the ongoing conflict are seeking refuge in North Kivu. The M23’s advance, chiefly supported by Rwandan military forces, has resulted in significant territorial gains, significantly threatening Goma’s supply lines, which remain only 25 kilometers away. Notably, on May 3, a missile strike led to the death of at least 17 civilians, including 15 children, when rockets struck camps located 15 kilometers from Goma, reportedly fired from Rwandan and M23 positions northwest of Sake. Clémentine de Montjoye, an Africa researcher with Human Rights Watch, commented on the dire situation: “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. Both Rwanda and Congo must cease support for armed groups that violate the laws of war and ensure the protection of civilians.” Between May and July 2024, Human Rights Watch researchers conducted field investigations at various camps around Goma, engaging with survivors and witnesses, and reviewing photographic and satellite evidence of the combat activities and their impact on civilian areas. Their findings, submitted to authorities in both Rwanda and the DRC, received no response. As violence mounts, the number of displaced people in North Kivu has surged to approximately 2.4 million. Notably, the use of heavy artillery by the Rwandan military and M23 rebels has severely impacted civilian areas, raising alarm regarding potential breaches of international humanitarian law. Moreover, reports from Médecins Sans Frontières indicate alarmingly high rates of sexual violence, with over 10% of young women in Goma’s displacement camps having reported being raped between November 2023 and April 2024, with some camps seeing this figure rise to 17%.
The current crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly around Goma and North Kivu, is deeply rooted in longstanding issues of political strife, ethnic tensions, and armed group activity, particularly that of M23, which resurfaced in 2021. The region has faced ongoing violence and instability, significantly impacting the civilian population and leading to massive displacement. The M23’s recent advances and the alleged involvement of Rwandan military forces have intensified fears regarding humanitarian security and the protection of civilians. The findings reported by Human Rights Watch shed light on the increasing violence faced by displaced groups and the alarming rate of human rights abuses being perpetrated in this volatile environment.
The accusations against the Rwandan army and M23 rebels highlight a significant humanitarian emergency in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The reported bombardments on civilian displacement camps, coupled with the rise in human rights violations such as killing, sexual assault, and obstruction of humanitarian aid, have created a crisis affecting millions. As the situation deteriorates, it becomes imperative for both national and international bodies to intervene and safeguard the rights and wellbeing of the vulnerable populations caught in this conflict.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
