UN Human Rights Chief Condemns Rwanda-Backed Rebels for Child Killings in DRC
The UN Human Rights Chief has accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of killing children and attacking humanitarian aid facilities in eastern DRC following their capture of Bukavu. The group’s aggressive actions coincide with numerous armed factions competing for control in a region plagued by a severe humanitarian crisis. Recent deployments of Ugandan troops further illustrate the escalating violence and geopolitical ramifications of the ongoing conflict.
The UN Human Rights Chief has accused rebels, supported by Rwanda, of committing grave human rights violations in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Following their recent seizure of Bukavu, a major city, reports emerged of the rebels killing children and attacking humanitarian aid facilities. Volker Türk, the rights chief, stated that his office confirmed incidents of summary executions of children by the M23 group, which has reportedly recruited child soldiers.
The M23 rebels captured Bukavu last week, adding to their control following the earlier seizure of Goma, which led to the deaths of at least 3,000 individuals and significant displacement. The M23 is among over 100 armed groups competing for the mineral-rich territory in eastern DRC, with approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops alleged to be backing them.
Rwanda, in return, has accused the DRC of conscripting Hutu fighters linked to the 1994 genocide. The M23 has claimed that their aim is to protect Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan descent from discrimination and to help modernize the DRC. Critics argue this narrative serves as a cover for Rwanda’s ongoing influence in the region.
Unlike in 2012, when international pressure led to a withdrawal from Goma, analysts believe the M23 now seeks political power amid a protracted conflict that has displaced over 6 million people, resulting in the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Additionally, Ugandan troops have reportedly deployed to the eastern Congolese city of Bunia in support of local military efforts to combat escalating violence from ethnic armed groups.
The recent actions of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern DRC have raised serious concerns about human rights abuses, including the killing and recruitment of children. Their aggressive territorial expansion, coupled with geopolitical tensions involving regional powers, underscores the complexity of the ongoing conflict. The humanitarian situation remains dire, necessitating urgent international attention and intervention.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
