The international human rights organisation Human Rights Watch has reported alarming events in Goma, where the M23 militia, allegedly backed by Rwanda, has forcibly evicted thousands of displaced persons since it seized control of the city on January 27, 2025. Many of these individuals, returning to their former homes or seeking refuge in Goma itself, face dire conditions, lacking food aid and basic resources.
In early February, the M23 issued a 72-hour ultimatum demanding that camp leaders empty the displacement camps situated to the north of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. International laws protecting civilians prohibit their eviction from camps except for security reasons.
Clémentine de Montjoye, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, emphasised that the M23’s actions to forcibly remove thousands of displaced persons are cruel, potentially constituting a war crime. She asserts that Rwanda and other nations with influence over the M23 must intervene to halt these violations.
Contrarily, the M23 claims that returnees are doing so voluntarily, citing improved conditions in their home regions. They urged aid organisations to focus their support on people returning home rather than in camps. However, countless testimonies paint a grim picture of the ongoing crisis.
In February, Human Rights Watch interviewed former camp residents and witnesses to the situation, corroborating reports of M23’s violent actions. A field investigation also highlighted the destruction of camps in northern Goma, where many were seeking refuge from ongoing violence.
Amid these conflicts, reports indicate a tragic toll, with around 3,000 fatalities among fighters and civilians, as documented by humanitarian organisations. Recently, the M23 ordered individuals to evacuate from the Bulengo and Lushagala camps in Goma, which previously housed over 100,000 displaced persons, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Since the M23’s directive, the Lushagala camp has been dismantled, and aid organisations have halted operations there, leading to severe implications for those still in dire need. Survivors from the camps expressed their desperate situation, explaining health issues, disabilities, and the lack of resources for safe travel.
A man fleeing the Goma violence noted the consistent pattern of forced evictions by the M23 whenever they gain control. On February 12, the Lushagala camp was dismantled, with devastating footage capturing the chaos and inhumane treatment experienced by displaced populations being shared by Human Rights Watch. Eyewitnesses reported that authorities were present during the destruction but did nothing to mitigate the violence and displacement occurring in front of them.
In Goma, the M23 militia, allegedly supported by Rwanda, has forcibly evicted thousands of displaced individuals since taking control of the city. Despite claims of voluntary returns, many face dire conditions without aid. Human Rights Watch urges intervention from influential nations to curb these rights violations, as reports indicate significant casualties and humanitarian despair following eviction orders. Eyewitness accounts further confirm the adversities faced by the displaced, calling for urgent action and accountability.
The situation in Goma is critical, marked by severe human rights violations as M23 forces evict thousands of displaced persons from camps, leaving them vulnerable and without aid. The international community’s response is crucial to address these abuses and protect human rights. Immediate intervention is needed to halt these forced displacements and restore safety for those affected. Continued attention and action from Rwanda and other influential nations could help ensure accountability and protect the beleaguered populations in the region. Without intervention, the prospects for the displaced remain grim, echoing the urgent calls for humanitarian assistance and justice amidst chaos.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
