Human Rights Watch has accused the Rwandan army and M23 rebels of indiscriminately shelling civilian displacement camps in eastern DRC, causing civilian casualties and exacerbating a humanitarian crisis impacting millions. The ongoing violence, which has seen increased territorial control by M23 since early 2024, raises grave concerns about international humanitarian law violations and the protection of civilians.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has leveled serious accusations against the Rwandan army and the M23 armed group for engaging in indiscriminate shelling of displacement camps surrounding Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This shelling is said to have intensified as unrest escalates in the eastern DRC. The NGO reported that since M23’s capture of Sake and its advance towards Goma earlier in the year, there have been at least five instances where artillery and rocket fire have struck camps and densely populated areas in the vicinity. The conflict surrounding Goma evidences grave human rights abuses from both the Rwandan forces and M23, including incidents resulting in civilian casualties, rape, and the obstruction of humanitarian assistance. The situation has dramatically affected over half a million individuals who have been displaced and are currently seeking refuge in the area. The Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) and M23 intensified their military actions in January 2024, effectively cutting off critical supply lines to Goma, which is situated merely 25 kilometers away. This strategic maneuver has enabled M23, reportedly receiving support from Rwanda, to achieve its most significant territorial gain in North Kivu since re-emerging in 2021. On May 3, HRW reported a grievous incident in which three rockets struck camps approximately 15 kilometers west of Goma, resulting in the deaths of seventeen civilians, including fifteen children. “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,” stated Clémentine de Montjoye, an Africa researcher with HRW. She emphasized the urgent need for both Rwanda and the DRC to halt their affiliations with armed groups that breach the laws of war and to prioritize the protection of civilians. HRW undertook investigations from May to July 2024, during which researchers visited several displacement camps near Goma, including Bulengo, Bushagara, and Mugunga. They conducted interviews with 65 individuals, including witnesses and survivors, and reviewed satellite imagery and photographic evidence to analyze the artillery positions and the consequent destruction of civilian areas. Despite submitting their findings to the governments of Rwanda and the DRC, HRW has yet to receive any feedback. As violence continues to surge, the number of displaced individuals in North Kivu has escalated to approximately 2.4 million. The employment of heavy artillery by the Rwandan military and M23 rebels has led to indiscriminate attacks on civilian locales, thereby raising alarms about potential violations of international humanitarian law. Furthermore, Médecins Sans Frontières reported that from November 2023 to April 2024, over ten percent of young women residing in Goma’s displacement camps had endured sexual violence, with this statistic climbing to 17 percent in certain camps.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly around Goma, is marked by severe violence and displacement resulting from the conflict between Rwandan forces and the M23 rebels. The M23, which has its origins in a prior conflict in the DRC, has re-emerged with increased military activity since 2021. With strategic support from the Rwandan government, M23 has engaged in military actions leading to a significant spike in civilian casualties and an overwhelming humanitarian crisis, where millions are displaced and deprived of essential aid. This situation is compounded by allegations of sexual violence against vulnerable populations in the region, particularly women and children.
In conclusion, the situation in the eastern DRC, primarily around Goma, has deteriorated markedly due to the violent confrontations involving Rwandan forces and M23 rebels. Human Rights Watch has highlighted severe abuses, including artillery attacks on civilian areas, leading to numerous casualties and contributing to a broader humanitarian crisis affecting millions. The urgent appeal to both the Rwandan and Congolese authorities to cease supporting armed groups engaged in these abuses underscores the critical need for immediate action to protect civilians and restore stability in the region.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
