Rwanda-backed M23 rebels are advancing towards Butembo, threatening local control and escalating violence in eastern Congo. The situation is dire, with significant international condemnation of the rebel advances and accusations of human rights violations, including the targeting of children. Over six million people are displaced amid this ongoing humanitarian crisis as global scrutiny increases on regional powers’ involvement in the conflict.
Residents report that Rwanda-backed M23 rebels are making advances toward Butembo, a significant city in eastern Congo. The rebels attacked key Congolese army positions along the route to Butembo, intensifying their offensive in the region. Civil society leader Auguste Kombi expressed fears about the advances of the rebel forces and the impending threat to local populations.
Butembo, with a population of 150,000, lies approximately 210 kilometers north of Goma, which was captured by M23 rebels last month amid significant violence that claimed around 3,000 lives. The situation escalated further after the M23 took control of Bukavu, which is south of Goma and situated near Burundi, further consolidating their control over the region’s valuable resources.
The M23, supported by Rwandan troops estimated at around 4,000, has expanded its territory to include Kamanyola, located 25 kilometers south of Bukavu. There are concerns that M23 may attempt to capture Uvira, 75 kilometers further south. This insurgency occurs amid a backdrop of over 100 armed factions vying for control over Congo’s rich mineral assets.
Analysts believe that the M23 rebels are pursuing political power beyond territorial control, aiming to maintain dominance unlike their brief hold in Goma in 2012. The appointed mayor of Goma indicated plans to implement a census, reflecting their ambitions to solidify control. Despite recent rebel advances, ferry services between Goma and Bukavu have resumed, providing a vital connection for civilians.
Rwanda has accused Congo of enlisting ethnic Hutu fighters, whom it claims are responsible for past genocides, while M23 asserts its mission is to protect Tutsi individuals and Congolese of Rwandan descent. The U.K. Foreign Office responded by condemning the escalation of rebel forces and demanding the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory, highlighting escalating international tensions.
Eastern Congo’s violence has led to the displacement of over 6 million people, forming one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Moreover, the recent movements of M23 rebels are a strategic concern, now placing them near Uganda’s border. Uganda itself has recently deployed troops into the eastern Congo area, targeting violence from local armed groups.
Volker Türk, the U.N. human rights chief, reported troubling allegations against M23, including the murder of children and the assault on humanitarian facilities. He noted instances of child executions attributed to the rebels, which align with prior accusations of child recruitment directed at both M23 and the Congolese army. A U.N. commission has been launched to investigate these serious human rights abuses, which include reports of rapes and summary executions this year.
The situation in eastern Congo continues to escalate as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels advance, threatening major cities and further complicating the humanitarian crisis in the region. The international community is raising alarms over the violation of Congolese sovereignty, while accusations of human rights abuses abound. The ongoing conflict involves multiple armed groups, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the violence and protection of vulnerable populations.
Original Source: apnews.com
