Bombing of Displacement Sites in Congo Condemned as War Crime

The United Nations has strongly condemned the bombing of two displacement sites near Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province on Friday, which killed at least 12 people, including six children, and injured many others. The attacks on the Lac-Vert and Mugunga camps, located 13-15 km from Goma, are considered a flagrant violation of human rights and international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime.

Why this matters: The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has devastating humanitarian consequences, displacing millions of people and perpetuating a cycle of violence. The international community's response to this crisis will have significant implications for regional stability and the protection of civilians in conflict zones.

Ms. Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in the DRC and Head of MONUSCO, stated: "[The bombing] cost the lives of several civilians, including at least six children, and injured many others." She called on the Congolese authorities to take all necessary measures to bring the perpetrators to justice and reaffirmed MONUSCO's commitment to supporting efforts to establish peace, security, and stability in the country.

The Congolese army blamed the attacks on the M23 rebel group, which has alleged links to neighboring Rwanda. However, the M23 rebels denied any role in the bombings and instead blamed Congolese forces. The US State Department expressed grave concern about the recent expansion of Rwandan Defense Forces and M23 in eastern Congo, calling on both parties to respect human rights and adhere to international humanitarian law.

Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi, who was traveling in Europe at the time of the attacks, decided to return home following the bombings. Tshisekedi has long alleged that Rwanda is destabilizing Congo by backing the M23 rebels. French President Emmanuel Macron also called on Rwanda to halt its support for the rebel group during a joint press conference with Tshisekedi in Paris.

The M23 rebel group formed in 2012, allegedly to protect the ethnic Tutsi population in eastern DRC, which had long complained of persecution and discrimination. UN experts have said that the M23 group is backed by neighboring Rwanda, which is also led by Tutsis, something that Kigali has consistently denied. The latest strike comes days after M23 fighters claimed they had seized the town of Rubaya, an area rich in coltan used for making mobile phones and batteries for electric vehicles.

The decades-long conflict in eastern Congo has produced one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with over 100 armed groups fighting in the region, mostly for land and control of mines with valuable minerals. The violence has displaced about 7 million people, many beyond the reach of aid. The bombing of the displacement sites in Goma is the latest incident in this ongoing conflict, underscoring the urgent need for a peaceful resolution and the protection of civilians caught in the crossfire.

Key Takeaways

• UN condemns bombing of 2 displacement sites in DRC, killing 12, including 6 children.
• Attacks considered a flagrant violation of human rights and international humanitarian law.
• Congolese army blames M23 rebel group, but they deny involvement and blame Congolese forces.
• US and France express concern over Rwandan support for M23 and call for respect of human rights.
• Ongoing conflict in eastern DRC has displaced 7 million people and perpetuates a cycle of violence.