GOMA, Congo — Following the capture of Goma, the main city in eastern Congo, armed groups backed by Rwanda are reportedly expanding their influence in the region, raising alarms from the United Nations regarding serious human rights violations, including executions, committed by these factions in the last few days amid their intensified rebellion.
Local officials and residents confirmed that Congolese forces successfully thwarted an offensive by the M23 rebels towards Bakuvu, the provincial capital of South Kivu, on Thursday. After taking over Goma, the M23 group has gained control of additional towns, impacting millions displaced by ongoing violence in this humanitarian corridor. They announced plans to advance toward the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, which is nearly 1,000 miles away.
The M23 rebel group stands out among over 100 armed factions competing for dominance in eastern Congo, a region rich in minerals crucial to global technologies. U.N. experts estimate that approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops are supporting M23, which is a significant increase compared to their initial incursions in 2012, driven primarily by ethnic tensions.
Office spokesman for the U.N. human rights division, Jeremy Laurence, detailed during a Friday briefing the deterioration of human rights conditions following the recent escalation in fighting. He noted attacks on at least two camps for internally displaced persons, resulting in unspecified fatalities. “We have documented summary executions of at least 12 individuals carried out by M23 during the period from January 26 to 28,” Laurence stated, further mentioning that the rebels have taken over schools and hospitals while also subjecting local civilians to forced conscription and labor.
Amid ongoing conflicts, Congolese forces have come under criticism for incidents of sexual violence. Laurence also reported, “We are investigating claims that 52 women were assaulted by Congolese troops in South Kivu, with allegations of gang rapes being included.”
On Thursday, Congolese security personnel succeeded in fending off a rebel assault in Kalehe territory—approximately 85 miles from Bakuvu. Amid these tensions, military bases in Bukavu were reportedly depleted to reinforce defense toward the capital, local sources confirmed. In a display of solidarity, numerous young individuals registered on Friday to undergo military training following a rallying call for mass mobilization issued by Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi.
The military of the Central African nation has recently faced setbacks, having lost countless personnel and foreign mercenaries who surrendered to the rebels following Goma’s fall. After taking office as the new governor of North Kivu, Major General Somo Kakule Evariste pledged to quickly establish governmental authority in Goma. “This is not the time for speeches,” he asserted. “The flame of resistance will never be extinguished.”
Meanwhile, residents of Goma struggle to cope without both water and electricity, often traveling for hours to retrieve water from Lake Kivu. “We want the war to end, so we can return to our normal lives. Coming here every day is unsustainable,” lamented resident Badeja Matanda.
As the M23 faction aims to solidify its control in Goma, they have stated that they are working to restore essential services like water and electricity to the city of around two million inhabitants despite the turmoil. “We will fight until we restore democracy,” declared Corneille Nangaa, a political leader within M23. “From a failed state to a modern state.”
