The United Nations has reported that the M23 group executed children in Bukavu, indicating a deteriorating situation in the DRC that is leading to serious human rights violations and abuses. The ongoing feud between the M23 fighters who are expanding in Congo, alleged to be backed by neighboring country Rwanda, has now executed the children in Bukavu where they have expanded their reach.
Attacking Children
UN has declared the act a human rights violation. Spokesperson for the human rights office, Ravina Shamdasani said, “Our office has confirmed cases of summary execution of children by M23 after they entered the city of Bukavu last week. We are also aware that children had weapons,” These three boys were abandoned by DRC military camp and had guns carried with them, as they denied putting the weapons down, and were killed by the M23 troops.
A spokesperson for the M23 rebel group called the claim false on platform X, stating that the boys were accidentally killed by others mishandling the guns.
Deterioration of Eastern DRC
After Bukavu and Goma, M23 fighters expanded their control in South Kivu, causing a humanitarian crisis and provoking displacement among the population. Around 15,000 individuals have recently entered Burundi from Bukavu, putting a strain on resources and resulting in overcrowding. Some of the people while crossing drowned in the river- Ruzizi.
“(Refugees) are exhausted and traumatized. Many of them have been separated from their families with little information on their whereabouts,” said the spokesperson for the U.N. refugee agency, Matthew Saltmarsh. Shamdasani spoke about people who are stranded in Goma and Bukavu, highlighting worries for their safety. He mentioned, “Others are still stuck in Bukavu and Goma,” recognizing that their commitment to human rights and their criticisms of abuses perpetrated by Rwanda and M23 in different parts of eastern DRC make them vulnerable.
Withdrawal of Burundi
The Burundi forces withdrew from the eastern corners as they were unable to halt the rebels, however, the Burundian military denies withdrawal suggesting that they are still fighting in their areas of responsibility. The pullback happened after the UN human rights office alleged that M23 rebels executed children in eastern Congo during their advance, which resulted in the group capturing the largest cities in the region. Furthermore, the Burundian army corroborated the movements reported by two UN sources and an African diplomat by saying, “A number of trucks filled with (Burundian) military arrived in the country since yesterday.”
Rwanda in Denial
The US, UK, and other countries are accusing Rwanda of backing group M23, however, Rwanda is still denying the claims and allegations of being involved in the group M23 or supporting them. Furthermore, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has called in Rwanda’s ambassador to the UK to denounce the actions of the group.
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Haripriya Mishra is a journalist deeply interested in world news and geopolitics. She likes to explore the complexities of global affairs and strives to bring clarity to these issues through thoughtful journalism. Through her writing, she intends to raise the right questions, fostering informed discussions about national and international matters. Haripriya aims to use journalism as a platform to connect with people, share diverse perspectives, and contribute to a deeper understanding of global issues. She is committed to producing content that is accurate, ethical, and impactful. She enjoys creative writing and reflecting on the nuances of media and storytelling.
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