The UN human rights office has raised alarm over M23 rebels, alleged to be backed by Rwanda, for the tragic killings of three boys in Bukavu, eastern DRC. These boys, all aged 15 or younger, were reportedly executed after refusing to surrender weapons found at a deserted military camp. “Our office has confirmed cases of summary execution of children by M23,” stated Ravina Shamdasani, emphasising the militia’s grave human rights abuses.
The carnage in eastern DRC has persisted for decades, where rival armies and militia groups vie for control over bountiful mineral resources, leaving millions dead or displaced. Recent escalations included M23’s rapid occupation of Bukavu after seizing Goma. Each conflict marks an extension of the turmoil that surged following a 2003 peace deal, crafted to halt the bloodshed that claimed 6 million lives.
M23 is one of several Tutsi-led groups that have surged in the region, whose self-claimed mission is to defend the rights of Congolese Tutsis and other minorities. Meanwhile, allegations of Rwandan support for M23 hang heavy in the air, which Rwanda has consistently denied. The UN has previously pointed fingers at both the Congolese army and various militias for child recruitment amidst the ongoing havoc.
Recent testimonies have shed light on atrocities committed by M23 rebels, including the execution of children and sexual violence against women. In response to these claims, M23’s spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, dismissed the allegations as unrepresentative of the real situation. As military tensions rise, Ugandan troops have now moved into Bunia, reinforcing the Congolese forces against M23’s militancy.
This surge of violence has displaced hundreds of thousands, with reports indicating that up to 15,000 individuals fled into Burundi within just days. The fluidity of the situation remains precariously precarious “The situation in the eastern DRC remains extremely challenging and fluid,” Shamdasani cautioned. Attacks on hospitals, humanitarian supplies, and threats to the judiciary are also part of the worrying developments associated with M23’s advances in eastern Congo.
The UN human rights office has accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of killing three children in Bukavu, DRC, following their recent capture of the city. These tragic executions highlight ongoing human rights violations amidst decades of conflict in the region. The turmoil has displaced hundreds of thousands, with further military interventions from Uganda complicating the situation. The UN calls for urgent action to address these atrocities and restore peace.
The situation in eastern DRC has reached critical levels with reported killings of children by M23 rebels. The ongoing violence perpetuated by armed groups, including accusations of Rwandan backing for M23, has resulted in extensive human rights violations and mass displacement. As international scrutiny increases, the complex interplay of regional conflict brushes against fundamental human rights, demanding urgent global attention and intervention.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
