The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has raised concerns over the alarming escalation of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marked by the offensive of the armed group M23, operating with the support of Rwanda. During a special session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Volker Türk warned about the devastating consequences that could worsen the situation if immediate actions are not taken. Since the end of January, around 3,000 deaths and nearly 2,900 injuries have been recorded due to the attacks by M23, which has used heavy weaponry in densely populated areas.
Clashes between M23 and the Congolese armed forces have intensified, and Türk made an urgent call to both parties to initiate a dialogue to cease hostilities. He ensured that seeking a solution through military force would only contribute to exacerbating the conflict. The situation in the mineral-rich provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu is especially critical, as these areas have dealt with decades of instability induced by the proliferation of armed groups.
The conflict reached a new peak at the end of January, when M23, primarily composed of Tutsi fighters, regained control over various areas, including strategic zones near Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and started advancing towards South Kivu, where the city of Bukavu is located. In response to this crisis, the Human Rights Council has decided to establish an investigative mission to examine human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law in the two provinces.
The resolution of this mission places a particular emphasis on abuses related to sexual and gender-based violence within the conflict, as well as practices like extrajudicial executions, kidnappings, forced disappearances, and attacks targeting human rights defenders. It also openly condemns the logistical and military support provided by Rwanda to M23, urging this group and Rwandan forces to cease their human rights violations.
Türk also highlighted concerning incidents, such as the bombing of hospitals in Goma and the mass rape of female prisoners following a breakout in the Muzenze prison. Sexual violence has dramatically increased, and the UN is in the process of verifying multiple reports in the affected areas.
Bintou Keita, the UN Special Representative in the DRC, warned about the catastrophic situation in Goma, where many young people are forcibly recruited and human rights violations are escalating daily. Furthermore, the humanitarian context is complicated by the resurgence of cholera outbreaks and other health issues.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications of the DRC has accused Rwanda of continuing to support armed groups operating in its territory, fueling violence in the region for decades. In response, a Rwandan ambassador dismissed these accusations, warning of a possible large-scale attack on their country.
The growing tension in eastern DRC poses serious risks not only to the local population but also to the stability of the entire region, emphasizing the urgent need for an international approach that addresses the crisis comprehensively and compassionately.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish