As Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continue their advance, violence has escalated in eastern Congo, leaving thousands dead and displacing hundreds of thousands. Among the latest victims was 10-year-old Sylvain, who was fatally shot in the head by retreating army soldiers looting homes near Goma’s airport. His family was unable to reach medical help until the next morning due to ongoing clashes.
The Congolese military has not responded to inquiries regarding the incident. The United Nations (UN) has raised concerns over a rise in child recruitment, abductions, killings, and sexual violence as the rebels gain more territory. Reports indicate that fleeing government soldiers have committed crimes, including rape and murder.
Last week, the UN human rights office reported that M23 fighters executed three children in Bukavu, the second-largest city in the region. While an M23 spokesperson denied the allegations, UN officials confirmed the victims were holding weapons left behind by retreating soldiers.
The latest surge in violence has led to a dramatic rise in sexual violence. In the week following the fall of Goma, healthcare facilities recorded 572 cases of rape, including 170 children. This is a stark increase from the average of 95 weekly cases reported earlier in 2024. Reports suggest all parties involved in the conflict may be responsible.
Medical workers in Goma have noted an increase in severe sexual violence cases, with some victims suffering life-threatening injuries. Instances of gang rape involving young girls have also been reported in both Goma and Bukavu, though the full scale of the crisis remains unclear.
Congo has called for a UN investigation into crimes attributed to the M23 rebels and has accused Rwanda of involvement, a claim Rwanda has denied.
The ongoing fighting has triggered a humanitarian crisis. The UN refugee agency has reported that children are dying from exhaustion as their families flee the violence. M23 has taken control of key cities, including Goma and Bukavu, as well as valuable mineral resources.
The conflict has resulted in over 7,000 deaths since January, with 3,000 casualties reported in Goma alone. More than 450,000 people have been displaced after 90 refugee camps were destroyed. Approximately 40,000 have fled to Burundi in the past two weeks to escape the violence.
At a high-level meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa urged the international community to impose sanctions on Rwanda, warning of the conflict’s potential spillover into neighboring countries. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the atrocities, warning that human rights violations worldwide are reaching a crisis point.
“If the violation of territorial integrity is not addressed, the situation could worsen,” Suminwa stated, emphasizing the need for urgent international intervention to prevent further bloodshed.