The U.N. human rights chief, Volker Türk, has strongly condemned the actions of Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo for their brutal assault which has now claimed control of Bukavu, the region’s second-largest city. In a recent statement, he revealed the alarming confirmation of children being summarily executed and armed with weapons by these rebels, highlighting their terrifying recruitment of minors amid widespread chaos.
Following the M23 rebels’ takeover of Bukavu, reports suggest that hospitals and humanitarian supply warehouses have also been targeted during the conflict. Thousands have been displaced, and an investigation by the U.N. Human Rights Council is underway to scrutinise these atrocities, including acts of rape and summary executions allegedly committed by both the rebels and Congolese government forces.
The recent capture of Bukavu adds to the rebels’ list of territorial gains, escalating the humanitarian crisis that already affects over six million people in the area. As if drawn into an inevitable storm, Goma was previously seized by the M23 forces, resulting in an estimated 3,000 deaths in the surrounding chaos. The rebels are believed to be backing their claims on historical grievances regarding the protection of Tutsi and Congolese Rwandan residents.
With approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops allegedly supporting the M23’s motives of reclaiming political control, the stakes have never been higher. This time, unlike the fleeting power grab of 2012, analysts suggest that the rebels are set not just to advance their military position but to significantly influence the region’s political landscape. The plight of the Congolese people continues to cast a long shadow, as they grapple with the ripples of decades-long conflict.
The U.N. human rights chief has accused M23 rebels backed by Rwanda of killing children and recruiting them in eastern Congo as they seize control of Bukavu, escalating an already dire humanitarian crisis. With thousands displaced and a looming investigation into atrocities, the conflict grows more complex as rebels seek political power amid a backdrop of historical grievances and violence.
In summary, the U.N. human rights chief has raised serious concerns about the actions of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in Bukavu, where children are recruited and killed amidst escalating violence. The ongoing conflict has contributed to an overwhelming humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo, with millions displaced and countless lives devastated. Investigations are underway to address these human rights violations, but the path to peace remains uncertain as political ambitions clash with desperate realities.
Original Source: apnews.com
