Rebel Forces Seize Control in Eastern DRC: Implications for Local Populations
The AFC-M23 rebels captured Goma and Bukavu in eastern DRC, indicating a shift in power amid the collapse of the government’s military forces. They are attempting to establish a parallel regime while forcibly relocating displaced persons without adequate support. Photographer Paloma Laudet documented the local population’s circumstances under the rebel’s control, highlighting humanitarian challenges amidst the ongoing conflict.
In late January, the AFC-M23 rebels advanced after capturing Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Following this, the rebels seized Bukavu with minimal resistance, indicating the collapse of the DRC’s armed forces (FARDC), along with their allies from Burundi and local pro-government militias. This shift in power underscores the ongoing instability in the region.
The M23 group and its political wing, the AFC, are now attempting to create a parallel governance structure in the regions they control, operating independent of President Félix Tshisekedi’s authority. In an effort to legitimize their rule, they are conducting forced evacuations of displaced person camps that formed during the outbreak of conflict in November 2021. This relocation initiative lacks sufficient support or guarantees for those affected, raising concerns about their safety and well-being.
Photographer Paloma Laudet has been documenting the humanitarian implications of this power transition as the M23 controls the area from Goma to Bukavu, including Monigi and Minova. Her work highlights the struggles faced by local populations due to the instability and the characteristics of the new regime imposed by the rebel forces.
The AFC-M23 rebels’ control in eastern DRC signifies a crucial turning point, characterized by the capture of strategic towns like Goma and Bukavu with little resistance. Their establishment of a parallel governance system that forces displaced populations to return raises significant humanitarian concerns, particularly as these relocations occur without adequate support. The situation remains volatile, requiring careful monitoring of human rights implications in the region.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
