The U.N. human rights chief has accused M23 rebels in eastern Congo of executing children and attacking humanitarian aids. The rebels have seized Bukavu after Goma, prompting humanitarian crises and investigations into atrocities. Rwanda’s support for the rebels raises sovereignty concerns, while the ongoing conflict has displaced millions and aggravated regional instability.
The U.N. human rights chief, Volker Türk, has accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of committing grave human rights violations, including the killing of children and attacks on hospitals in eastern Congo. Türk reported cases of summary executions of children in the city of Bukavu, captured recently by the M23, and noted that some children were armed. These actions have raised significant concerns amid ongoing conflict in the region.
The M23 rebels recently gained control of Bukavu, a city of 1.3 million, after seizing Goma, prompting serious allegations against both the Congolese government and the rebels regarding the recruitment of child soldiers. The U.N. Human Rights Council has initiated an investigation into various atrocities committed by both parties since the year’s beginning, including incidents of rape and summary executions.
The M23 rebel group, now firmly entrenching itself in eastern Congo, is supported by Rwandan troops, estimated at around 4,000. They are one of over 100 armed factions in the region, which is rich in mineral resources. Rwanda claims that Congo is enlisting Hutu fighters linked to the 1994 genocide, while the M23 argues it aims to protect Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan descent from discrimination.
In response to the growing tensions, the U.K. Foreign Office summoned the Rwandan ambassador, condemning the rebels’ advances, which threaten Congo’s sovereignty. The U.K. government has called for the immediate withdrawal of all Rwandan Defense Force troops from Congolese territory, addressing the unacceptable nature of the current situation.
The prolonged conflict has resulted in the displacement of over six million people in the region, establishing a humanitarian crisis of significant proportions. Recently, the M23 appointed a governor in North Kivu, announcing the reopening of a ferry route between Goma and Bukavu, the only secure travel option between the two cities.
Moreover, Ugandan troops have entered the northeastern city of Bunia to assist the Congolese military against violence from armed ethnic groups, illustrating the ongoing instability and international involvement in the region.
The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo remains dire, with reports of severe human rights abuses perpetrated by the M23 rebels, including child killings. The international community, as demonstrated by the U.K.’s response, continues to react to the growing crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for diplomatic interventions. With displacements and humanitarian crises worsening, the situation requires immediate attention and action to restore stability in the region.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
