Amnesty International has accused the Congolese army and M23 rebel group of war crimes due to over 150 attacks on civilian areas that resulted in numerous casualties. The organization urges investigations by the International Criminal Court. With rising tensions and displacement of 237,000 people this year, the conflict continues to escalate, drawing in allegations of foreign involvement from Rwanda.
Amnesty International has accused the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group of conducting bombings in heavily populated areas, which the organization believes could amount to war crimes. According to a report released by the organization, over 150 attacks were carried out with unguided rockets and explosives in eastern Congo from January to July of the previous year, resulting in the deaths of over 100 civilians and injuring many others. Amnesty has urged the International Criminal Court to conduct an investigation into these attacks.
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, highlighted the increasing use of explosive weapons in the ongoing conflict, describing it as a significant escalation in a situation already characterized by numerous human rights violations. The report arrives amid intensifying clashes between the Congolese military and various rebel factions in eastern Congo, leading to displacements of more than 237,000 individuals since the start of the year, as reported by the United Nations refugee agency.
The M23 group is among approximately 100 armed factions seeking control in the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo, a conflict that has persisted for decades, resulting in over 7 million displaced persons. While Congo and the United Nations have accused Rwanda of supporting M23, Rwanda denies these allegations, although it acknowledged having troops in eastern Congo for security reasons, citing the movement of Congolese forces near the border. Estimates suggest that up to 4,000 Rwandan military personnel may be present in the region.
In recent weeks, M23 has made significant territorial gains in eastern Congo, including the capture of the strategic mining town of Masisi in North-Kivu province. Fighting has escalated around Lumbishi, another key town in South-Kivu province, indicating a concerning shift in the regional conflict dynamics.
The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has persisted for over three decades, marked by numerous armed groups competing for control over the region’s valuable natural resources. Human rights abuses and humanitarian crises are prevalent, with millions displaced due to the violence. Recently, allegations have arisen concerning specific attacks conducted by the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group, prompting calls for international investigations into potential war crimes, further complicating the humanitarian situation.
Amnesty International’s accusations against the Congolese army and M23 for potential war crimes highlight the deepening humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo. With over 100 civilians killed and the displacement of hundreds of thousands, the urgency for international intervention grows. The situation remains volatile as M23 continues to gain ground, raising concerns about regional stability and human rights violations.
Original Source: apnews.com
