UN human rights chief Volker Türk has expressed urgent concerns over escalating violence in eastern DR Congo due to the M23 offensive backed by Rwanda, which has resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths since January 26. Mr. Türk warns that without international intervention, the situation may worsen. The conflict has led to severe humanitarian crises, including sexual violence and forced displacements, necessitating immediate global action.
On Friday, UN human rights chief Volker Türk conveyed deep concerns over the escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), attributed to the Rwanda-supported M23 offensive. He warned that without intervention, the situation could deteriorate further, impacting not only the DRC but neighboring regions. Since January 26, nearly 3,000 individuals have lost their lives and over 2,800 have sustained injuries due to attacks by M23 and allied forces in heavily populated areas.
The ongoing conflict has plagued the mineral-rich provinces of North and South Kivu for years, resulting in significant displacement and instability driven by various armed groups. Hostilities intensified when M23, predominantly comprised of Tutsi fighters, captured significant portions of North Kivu, creating a pressing humanitarian crisis. The Human Rights Council is considering a fact-finding mission to address the severe rights violations occurring in these regions.
In his remarks at the emergency session, Mr. Türk highlighted the destruction of hospitals in Goma, which resulted in casualties among vulnerable patient populations. He also reported a mass prison break in which numerous female inmates were subjected to horrific violence, including rape and murder. He stressed that the rising incidence of sexual violence, a long-standing issue in the conflict, is likely to worsen under current conditions.
Bintou Keita, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC and head of the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO), confirmed the grave situation on the ground in Goma, where M23 fighters hold control and bodies remain in the streets. She indicated that youth are being forcibly recruited into armed groups, and human rights advocates face heightened risks. The ongoing conflict poses significant health threats, including resurgent cholera and disruptions to children’s education.
DRC’s Communications Minister, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, condemned the continued external military and financial support of countries such as Rwanda to the M23, claiming it has exacerbated the violence for decades due to the exploitation of the DRC’s valuable mineral resources. Conversely, Rwandan Ambassador James Ngango refuted these allegations, asserting that the DRC-supported coalition is amassing weapons along the Rwandan border, posing a direct threat to Rwanda’s security.
Mr. Türk emphasized the necessity for international attention to address the ongoing conflict’s underlying political and economic factors. He articulated the suffering of the eastern DRC’s populace while underscoring the importance of the region’s minerals in global supply chains, stating, “We are all implicated.”
The ongoing crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is deeply rooted in complex historical and political issues, including ethnic tensions and the influence of various armed groups. Conflict in this region has been exacerbated by external interventions, notably from Rwanda, whose support for the M23 rebel group has sparked extensive violence. This has resulted in humanitarian disasters, such as large-scale displacement and widespread human rights abuses, compelling international bodies to consider intervention and accountability for violations.
The escalating conflict in eastern DRC, marked by severe human rights violations, requires immediate international action to prevent further deterioration of the situation. UN officials have expressed grave concerns over the humanitarian crisis affecting thousands, particularly women and children, amidst rampant violence and instability. Addressing the underlying political and economic issues, including foreign interventions, is crucial for restoring peace and stability in the region.
Original Source: news.un.org
