In a grave statement, the UN human rights chief has reported brutal accusations against Rwanda-backed rebels in eastern Congo, highlighting their involvement in the killing and conscription of children. Volker Türk mentioned that his office has confirmed alarming cases of executions involving children committed by the M23 group after capturing the city of Bukavu. Furthermore, reports indicate that children were found armed and participating in the conflict.
These unsettling events come amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis, as both United Nations agencies and local authorities have previously pointed fingers at the Congolese government forces alongside the rebels for the recruitment of minors. Recently, the Human Rights Council initiated an investigation into various atrocities, including killings and sexual violence, attributed to both factions since the start of the year.
The M23 rebels seized Bukavu, a significant urban hub with a population over 1.3 million, following their takeover of Goma just last month. The fighting in Goma claimed at least 3,000 lives and displaced countless others, underlining the brutal nature of this conflict. With over 100 armed groups vying for the immensely valuable mineral resources of eastern Congo, the rivalry is fierce.
Rwanda, accused of supplying troops — approximately 4,000 — to support the M23, has retaliated with claims that Congo is recruiting Hutu fighters related to the dreadful 1994 genocide. While M23 proclaims its fight is to protect Tutsis and their kin, critics suggest these justifications serve as a smokescreen for Rwanda’s ulterior motives.
Unlike previous skirmishes, analysts suggest the M23 rebels are now driven by ambitions for political power. In a recent reaction, the UK Foreign Office summoned the Rwandan ambassador, condemning the rebel expansions and asserting that they undermine the Democratic Republic of Congo’s sovereignty, demanding the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory.
The protracted violence has inflicted tremendous suffering, displacing over 6 million people in the region, marking it as one of the world’s direst humanitarian disasters. Amidst this chaos, a ferry service has reopened between Goma and Bukavu, offering a glimmer of relief to displaced citizens. One passenger expressed his happiness at the resumption of this route, feeling a sense of hope for those who had remained behind.
As the situation unfolds, Ugandan troops are also joining the fray, assisting the Congolese army in battling the ongoing violence perpetrated by armed ethnic factions, although their involvement is in agreement with Kinshasa’s government.
The UN human rights chief condemned M23 rebels in eastern Congo for child killings and recruitment, following their seizure of Bukavu after Goma. Reports underscore a growing investigation into atrocities by both M23 and governmental forces. The conflict, exacerbated by Rwanda’s support for M23, has displaced millions and incited international outrage, with Uganda also deploying troops to assist in the volatile environment.
The ongoing conflict fuelled by the M23 rebels and Rwanda’s involvement in eastern Congo has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with allegations of child recruitment and violence. Historical grievances coupled with contemporary power struggles complicate the situation further, as international condemnation grows. The reopening of transport links provides a small respite, but the humanitarian struggle continues as armed groups wreak havoc in the region.
Original Source: www.thespec.com
