The UN human rights chief Volker Türk has expressed grave concerns about the increasing violence in eastern DRC due to the M23 offensive, warning that the crisis could deepen without international intervention. Since late January, almost 3,000 deaths have been recorded, prompting calls for fact-finding missions amidst ongoing assaults against health facilities. The DRC government blames Rwanda for supporting the violence, while Rwanda accuses Congolese forces of preparing for attacks. UN officials stress the urgent need for humanitarian access and international action to address the crisis.
Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, has raised serious concerns regarding the escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), attributed to the Rwanda-supported M23 offensive. During a Special Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, he warned, “If nothing is done, the worst may be yet to come, for the people of the eastern DRC, but also beyond the country’s borders,” underlining the urgent need for international action as the situation deteriorates.
Since January 26, nearly 3,000 fatalities and thousands of injuries have resulted from M23 attacks, which employ heavy weaponry in populated areas and clash with DRC forces. The ongoing violence has displaced hundreds of thousands in this historically unstable region, now dominated by various armed groups. Following the M23 seizure of territory in North Kivu and its advance toward Bukavu, the Human Rights Council is considering a fact-finding mission to address severe rights violations and humanitarian breaches.
Mr. Türk condemned the assault on healthcare facilities, highlighting the bombing of two hospitals in Goma on January 27, which resulted in numerous casualties among patients. Furthermore, he reported a mass prison escape in Goma where at least 165 female inmates suffered sexual violence, and many were killed in suspicious circumstances. He expressed horror at the pervasive sexual violence and acknowledged that reports of rape and other abuses were now being verified by UN personnel.
Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the dire situation in Goma, now under M23 control. She described the environment as “catastrophic,” with ongoing forced recruitments and threats to human rights defenders and journalists. She warned about the health risks related to the violence, including disease outbreaks and disruptions to children’s education, while reiterating the significant need for humanitarian assistance in the region.
In response to the crisis, DRC Minister of Communications Patrick Muyaya emphasized the detrimental support of nations like Rwanda to armed groups in eastern DRC, linking it to violence exacerbated by the exploitation of the region’s mineral wealth. In contrast, Rwandan Ambassador James Ngango dismissed these claims, alleging a buildup of arms near Rwanda’s border by Congolese forces allegedly preparing for an imminent attack.
Mr. Türk called for a deeper awareness of the complex political and economic factors fueling this ongoing conflict. He noted, “The population in the eastern DRC is suffering terribly, while many of the products we consume, such as mobile phones, are created using minerals from the east of the country. We are all implicated,” stressing the global responsibility to address the crisis.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been plagued by violence and instability, particularly in the eastern regions, for decades. The resurgence of armed groups, including M23, which is reportedly backed by Rwanda, has led to significant humanitarian crises, including widespread displacement and severe human rights violations. The international community, alongside United Nations agencies, is scrutinizing the situation in hopes of mitigating the escalating conflict and its severe impacts on the civilian population.
The situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remains alarming, with rising death tolls and humanitarian crises fueled by armed conflicts, notably from the M23 group backed by Rwanda. Both local and international entities are called upon to respond effectively to prevent further degradation of human rights and intensifying violence. As highlighted by UN officials, there is a collective responsibility to analyze and confront the underlying political and economic issues for meaningful resolution.
Original Source: news.un.org
