More than 7,000 people have died this year due to violence from the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo, which has seen significant territorial gains. The humanitarian crisis has escalated, prompting alarm from the U.N. as the rebels continue their campaign despite calls for a ceasefire. M23 claims to protect certain ethnic groups while facing serious accusations regarding their violent actions.
In eastern Congo, over 7,000 lives have been lost this year due to violence perpetrated by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, according to Congo’s Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka. Speaking at the U.N. Human Rights Council, she highlighted the alarming security and humanitarian crisis in the region as M23 has captured substantial territories rich in minerals crucial to global technology markets.
The conflict’s intensity has surged recently, with M23 seizing key cities such as Goma in January and Bukavu shortly thereafter. This group stands as the most powerful among approximately one hundred armed factions competing for control in eastern Congo, which holds immense but largely untapped mineral resources.
The U.N. has issued warnings about the escalating threat in a region plagued by decades of conflict, resulting in millions of displaced individuals. M23’s stated aims include unseating President Félix Tshisekedi’s government, which has struggled to maintain authority in the eastern territories amidst ongoing skirmishes.
M23’s campaign, supported by around 4,000 troops from Rwanda, proceeds despite international calls for a ceasefire. The rebel group has claimed to be cleansing cities from poor governance and insecurity while posing as protectors of Tutsi and Rwandan ethnic citizens facing discrimination in Congo.
Witness accounts from Goma indicate that M23’s intelligence operatives are targeting former Congolese soldiers and local criminals; however, the identification process has led to tragic errors. Recent reports indicated that eleven youths were wrongfully shot and killed while attending a weightlifting class after being mistaken for thieves.
In summary, the escalating violence in eastern Congo, driven by the M23 rebel group, has resulted in over 7,000 fatalities this year. The situation is marked by territorial acquisitions by the rebels, significant humanitarian crises, and the ongoing threats posed to the Congolese government. International concern is mounting regarding Rwanda’s involvement and the potential for further destabilization in the region.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
