Human Rights Watch has accused the Rwandan army and M23 rebels of indiscriminately shelling civilian displacement camps around Goma, DRC, highlighting serious human rights abuses and escalating violence in the region. Recent conflict has led to increased civilian casualties, widespread displacement, and severe disruptions to humanitarian aid. A call for accountability and adherence to international humanitarian law has been made by HRW, drawing attention to the exacerbating conditions and urgent need for intervention.
Recent allegations made by Human Rights Watch reveal that the Rwandan army, in collaboration with the M23 rebel group, has engaged in indiscriminate bombardment of displacement camps surrounding Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As the conflict escalates in eastern DRC, these actions are reportedly part of a pattern of violence affecting over half a million individuals forced to flee their homes. The violations have increased significantly since M23 captured the town of Sake earlier this year, thereby approaching Goma and launching artillery and rocket fire at civilian areas at least five times. The HRW report, published on September 26, outlined a grim reality where both Rwandan and Congolese forces have committed various abuses against civilians, including killings and sexual violence, while also obstructing humanitarian assistance. The advance of the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) and M23 towards Sake has disrupted crucial supply lines leading to Goma, located only 25 kilometers away, and has facilitated the rebels’ largest territorial gain since their resurgence in 2021. Particularly distressing was the incident reported on May 3, when rocket strikes originating from positions held by Rwandan forces and M23 resulted in the deaths of 17 civilians, including 15 children, in displacement camps just 15 kilometers from Goma. Clémentine de Montjoye, an Africa researcher at HRW, emphasized, “As fighting between Rwandan and Congolese forces with their allied militias edges closer to Goma, civilians and displaced populations are increasingly trapped in the crossfire and deprived of vital aid. Both Rwanda and Congo must cease support for armed groups that violate the laws of war and ensure the protection of civilians.” Moreover, between May and July 2024, HRW researchers conducted field investigations at various camps near Goma, interviewing numerous survivors and witnesses. Despite submitting their findings to the authorities in both Rwanda and Congo, HRW has not received any acknowledgments. As hostilities continue to intensify, the number of displaced individuals in North Kivu has surged to approximately 2.4 million. Reports regarding the indiscriminate use of heavy artillery by the Rwandan military and M23 rebels have raised serious concerns regarding violations of international humanitarian law. Medical data from August indicates a shocking rate of sexual violence, with Médecins Sans Frontières noting that more than 10% of young women in Goma’s displacement camps experienced rape from November 2023 to April 2024; some camps reported figures as high as 17%.
The allegations regarding the actions of Rwandan forces and M23 rebels in the DRC’s eastern regions are rooted in a prolonged history of conflict and instability that has plagued the area for decades. Both groups have a complex history involving shifting alliances and violent engagements, particularly in the mineral-rich North Kivu province, which has continuously faced humanitarian crises marked by mass displacement and severe human rights violations. Human Rights Watch’s recent reports highlight the increasing violence and deteriorating conditions for civilians as military confrontations escalate around urban centers like Goma, prompting urgent calls for accountability and protection of civilians under international humanitarian law.
In summary, the current situation in North Kivu illustrates a severe escalation of violence, resulting in significant civilian casualties and widespread displacement. Human Rights Watch’s reports underscore the urgent need for both the Rwandan and Congolese governments to ensure the protection of civilians and discontinue their support for armed groups known for violating international laws. The alarming rates of sexual violence and other abuses serve as a critical reminder of the humanitarian crisis facing the region and necessitate immediate international attention and intervention.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
