UN Human Rights Chief Accuses M23 Rebels Of Atrocities In Eastern DRC

 

The United Nations human rights chief has accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of committing atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including killing children and attacking hospitals and humanitarian aid warehouses.

In a statement on Tuesday, Volker Türk said his office had confirmed reports of summary executions of children by M23 fighters after they entered the city of Bukavu last week. He also noted that some children had been found carrying weapons, though he did not provide further details.

The UN has previously accused both the Congolese government and rebel groups of recruiting child soldiers. Earlier this month, the UN Human Rights Council launched an investigation into reported war crimes, including mass killings and sexual violence, committed by all sides since the beginning of the year.

M23 Rebels Seize Key Cities in Eastern DRC

On Sunday, M23 rebels captured Bukavu, a city of 1.3 million people, just weeks after seizing Goma, which lies about 101 kilometers (63 miles) to the north. The fighting in Goma has left at least 3,000 people dead and forced thousands to flee their homes.

M23 is one of more than 100 armed groups operating in eastern DRC, a region rich in minerals vital to global technology. According to UN experts, the group is backed by approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops.

The conflict is deeply rooted in regional tensions. Rwanda has accused the Congolese government of collaborating with Hutu militias responsible for the 1994 genocide, while M23 claims it is fighting to protect Congolese Tutsis and those of Rwandan descent from persecution. The group also asserts that its goal is to modernize the DRC, though critics argue that Rwanda’s involvement is primarily driven by economic and strategic interests.

Unlike in 2012, when international pressure forced M23 to withdraw from Goma after a brief occupation, analysts suggest that the rebels now have broader ambitions, potentially seeking political power in the DRC.

Growing Humanitarian Crisis and Regional Involvement

The ongoing conflict has displaced more than six million people, making it one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. As violence escalates, neighboring countries have begun to take action.

On Tuesday, a Ugandan military official confirmed that Ugandan troops had entered the eastern Congolese city of Bunia to support the Congolese army in efforts to quell deadly clashes involving armed ethnic groups.

With fighting intensifying and international concerns mounting, the situation in eastern DRC remains volatile, with no clear resolution in sight.