The Nturo Massacre: A Scholar’s Insights on Ethnic Violence in DR Congo
Harvard scholar Bojana Coulibaly conducted research in eastern DR Congo, uncovering the involvement of FDLR in the October 2023 massacre of Tutsi in Nturo. Coulibaly’s findings reveal systemic attacks and complicity of Burundian EAC forces during these events. The ongoing violence illustrates the pervasive impact of genocide ideology and the dire safety of Congolese Tutsi amidst a complex political landscape involving rebel groups and international peacekeeping efforts.
Harvard scholar Bojana Coulibaly, alongside her research partner, visited eastern DR Congo’s North Kivu Province to investigate the October 2023 massacre in Nturo, a village approximately 80 kilometers northwest of Goma. Her findings report that three hundred homes belonging to Congolese Tutsi were systematically destroyed by the FDLR, a militia formed from the perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, over three days starting October 2, 2023, after M23 rebels had largely withdrawn from the area.
The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF), composed of troops from several East African nations, was deployed in November 2022 to stabilize the region amidst the conflict involving the Congolese army and M23 rebels. However, complications arose as the EACRF aimed to support an ongoing political peace process, while Kinshasa sought to use the force against the M23, which exceeded their mandate.
Following the EACRF’s withdrawal in December 2023, Coulibaly reported that the FDLR attacks on Nturo occurred with the knowledge of the Burundian troops present at the time. Residents described conditions of systematic threat, including forced taxation by militias affiliated with FDLR, which intensified after the M23’s departure, as noted in Coulibaly’s interviews.
During the initial days of the attack, assailants killed residents and looted the village. By October 4, FDLR members set fire to the homes with gasoline, completely destroying the village. Many residents sought refuge in the Bwiza Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, where they faced similar threats. This attack showcases the pervasive impacts of genocide ideology and the marked ethnic cleansing of Congolese Tutsi.
Despite returning to rebuild in November 2023, reports of continued violence were noted, including an aerial bomb attack on returning residents. Coulibaly criticized the international community, particularly the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO), for failing to adequately respond to or investigate the atrocities in Nturo, highlighting the broader implications of genocide ideology in the region’s conflict dynamics. The ongoing struggles of the Congolese Tutsi underscore their precarious position in the face of systematic targeting by armed groups, raising questions about the effectiveness of current security measures post-M23’s withdrawal.
Amidst this unrest, M23 has evolved into a larger coalition, the Alliance Fleuve Congo, focusing on governance reform. In their recent activities, they captured significant territory, including Goma, illustrating a shift in power dynamics. However, they have also faced challenges in peace negotiations, accusing international actors of undermining peace efforts, thus complicating prospects for resolution in the region’s chronic violence.
In summary, the tragic events in Nturo emphasize the ongoing ethnic violence and genocide ideology affecting Congolese Tutsi in DR Congo. The complicity of Burundian EAC forces during the FDLR attacks highlights the intricate relationship between local armed groups and international efforts to maintain stability. The evolving landscape of M23 and the broader implications for peace negotiations further complicate the efforts to address these deep-rooted conflicts. The lack of adequate international response, as emphasized by Coulibaly, calls for renewed attention to these humanitarian crises.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
