M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, abducted at least 130 patients from two hospitals in Goma, eastern Congo, prompting calls from the UN for their immediate release. The rebels have intensified their campaign in the region, resulting in significant fatalities and the capture of key cities, with implications for regional stability and humanitarian concerns.
On February 28, M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, executed a coordinated attack in Goma, eastern Congo, abducting over 130 individuals from two hospitals. The UN Human Rights Office reported that 116 patients were taken from CBCA Ndosho Hospital and 15 from Heal Africa Hospital. The rebels specifically targeted individuals they suspected of being associated with the Congolese army or the pro-government Wazalendo militia.
Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, expressed grave concern regarding these actions, stating, “It is deeply distressing that M23 is snatching patients from hospital beds in coordinated raids and holding them incommunicado in undisclosed locations,” and she urged for their immediate release.
The M23 rebels have rapidly advanced in eastern Congo, capturing significant urban areas and resulting in over 3,000 fatalities, marking the most severe uptick in hostilities for over a decade. Their swift offensive led to the takeover of Goma and Bukavu, two crucial cities in the region, which is also abundant in valuable minerals such as gold and coltan, essential for electronic devices.
U.N. experts estimate that the M23 group is bolstered by approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops and has threatened to extend their advance towards Kinshasa, Congo’s capital, situated more than 1,000 miles away. Rwanda contends that Congo has been recruiting ethnic Hutu fighters linked to the 1994 genocide, further complicating the conflict. In contrast, the M23 claims to fight for the protection of Tutsis and Rwandan-origin Congolese against discrimination, though analysts suggest these motives serve as justifications for Rwandan intervention.
In a related incident, at least 11 individuals lost their lives last week in Bukavu due to explosions during a gathering held by M23 leaders, exemplifying the ongoing violence in the region.
The abduction of patients by M23 rebels in Goma highlights the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in eastern Congo. As the conflict escalates with involvement from external forces, the regional implications remain dire. The continuous violence, marked by abductions and casualties, necessitates urgent international attention and action to alleviate the suffering of the affected populations and restore stability in the region.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
