Congo’s Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka revealed that more than 7,000 people had been killed this year as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continued to seize significant territory in the mineral-rich eastern region of the country.
Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, Tuluka described the security and humanitarian situation as having reached “alarming levels.”
The conflict intensified in recent weeks, with the M23 rebels capturing the strategic city of Goma in January and Bukavu, another provincial capital, shortly thereafter. The M23, the most powerful of approximately 100 armed groups operating in eastern Congo, is reportedly bolstered by around 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda.
The UN has warned that the escalating violence poses a broader threat to regional stability. Eastern Congo has endured decades of conflict, resulting in the displacement of millions of people. The M23 rebels have declared their intention to overthrow the government of Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, whose administration has struggled to maintain control over the eastern provinces.
The M23 has vowed to “cleanse” cities of what it describes as bad governance and insecurity, claiming to fight for the protection of ethnic Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan origin from discrimination.
Human rights violations, civilian suffering
Witnesses in Goma have accused the M23’s intelligence branch of targeting former Congolese soldiers and alleged criminals, often misidentifying individuals. In one tragic incident, 11 young people waiting for a weightlifting class were reportedly killed on Sunday after being mistaken for thieves.
Analysts have dismissed the M23’s stated motives as pretexts for Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict. The rebel group’s actions have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region, with thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire and forced to flee their homes.
Prime Minister Tuluka’s address to the UN Human Rights Council underscores the urgent need for international intervention to address the crisis. The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, a claim that Rwanda denies.
The conflict in eastern Congo highlights the complex interplay of ethnic tensions, economic interests, and regional politics. As the violence continues to escalate, the international community faces mounting pressure to broker a lasting peace and prevent further loss of life in one of the world’s most resource-rich yet conflict-ridden regions.
