The UN Human Rights Chief has raised alarm over escalating violence in eastern DRC, attributing it to the Rwanda-backed M23 group. Since January, nearly 3,000 have died, with significant health risks and humanitarian crises exacerbating conditions. DRC officials dispute foreign involvement, with calls for international action to address the ongoing conflict and violations of human rights.
The ongoing crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has alarmed United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk. He emphasized the potential for worsening conditions due to escalating violence linked to the Rwanda-supported M23 group. Türk addressed the Human Rights Council recently, expressing that without immediate action, dire consequences for the eastern DRC population and beyond could follow.
Since January 26, armed violence has led to nearly 3,000 fatalities and 2,880 injuries due to M23 attacks utilizing heavy weaponry in populated regions. Hostilities have intensified, particularly with M23’s capture of territories around Goma and southward towards Bukavu. The Human Rights Council is considering a fact-finding mission to investigate these significant rights violations.
Türk specifically highlighted harrowing incidents, including bombings of hospitals in Goma, resulting in numerous casualties among patients, including women and children. Reports of a mass prison break in Goma indicate more than 165 female inmates were subjected to sexual violence and many lost their lives in suspicious circumstances amid the chaos.
Bintou Keita, the Special Representative and head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), described the situation in Goma as catastrophic. She noted that the youth are facing forced recruitment and civil society members are increasingly at risk. The escalation in violence has also intensified health risks, including cholera and mpox, along with a rise in conflict-related sexual violence.
In light of these issues, DRC’s Minister of Communications, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, condemned foreign support—particularly from Rwanda—for armed groups in the region, attributing ongoing violence to Rwanda’s involvement over the decades. Conversely, the Rwandan Ambassador to the UN refuted these claims, alleging that the DRC’s coalition is preparing an offensive against Rwanda.
Türk called attention to the complex interplay of economic and political factors that entangle the international community in this conflict, arguing that the suffering of the eastern DRC population is linked to the global consumption of resources sourced from the region. He underscored the collective responsibility of all nations in addressing the crisis, which has persisted for years due to both local and international dynamics.
The escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, exacerbated by external interference, presents a dire situation that demands immediate international attention. The UN officials stress the importance of addressing both immediate humanitarian needs and the underlying geopolitical issues perpetuating the conflict. Inaction could lead to further suffering for the local population, highlighting a need for global awareness and engagement.
Original Source: news.un.org
