Summary executions, sexual violence reported in eastern DRC war
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - As the humanitarian situation "rapidly deteriorates" in Goma, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with families fleeing conflict zones amid shortages, the UN Human Rights Office accuses the M23 of committing "summary executions" and the Congolese army of sexual violence, respectively.
The human rights crisis in eastern DRC continues to worsen, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The warning comes as hostilities between the Congolese armed forces and the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group spread to South Kivu after the M23 took over Goma.
Since the beginning of the crisis, bombs have hit at least two sites for displaced people, causing civilian casualties. “We have also documented summary executions of at least 12 people by M23 between 26 and 28 January,” Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for OHCHR, told a regular UN press briefing in Geneva.
On the ground, humanitarian agencies have also noted an influx of wounded people which is causing "saturation of hospital capacity in the cities of Goma and Bukavu", UN News reported
Urgent requests for protection from civilians
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 2,000 injuries have been recorded, including 45 in healthcare facilities and 315 in the streets of the city of Goma according to Congolese civil protection.
Reports indicate that the M23 has advanced further south towards Bukavu. Wedged between Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border, Goma, the main city in eastern DRC, fell to the M23 in recent days after a weeks-long offensive.
Press reports indicate that the rebel group is now trying to advance into the neighbouring province of South Kivu, towards the mining town of Nyabibwe, about 100 kilometres from Bukavu. Observers say Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu, could also be under threat.
In the meantime, OHCHR continues to receive "urgent requests for protection from civilians." "We are working with our UN colleagues and other partners to ensure their safety," Mr. Laurence said.
In other M23-controlled areas in South Kivu, such as Minova, the M23 occupied schools and hospitals, forced displaced people to leave camps, and subjected the civilia
Fifty women raped by the FARDC in South Kivu
Furthermore, the services of High Commissioner Türk also indicate having documented "cases of sexual violence linked to the conflict, committed by elements of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and allied fighters of Wazalendo in the territory of Kalehe".
“We are verifying reports that 52 women were raped by Congolese troops in South Kivu, including alleged reports of gang rape,” the OHCHR spokesperson said.
Additionally, Congolese authorities report that at least 165 women were raped by male inmates during the escape of more than 4,000 inmates from Muzenze prison in Goma on January 27, as the M23 began its assault on the city.
Conflict-related sexual violence has been an appalling feature of armed conflict in eastern DRC for decades. “High Commissioner Volker Türk is particularly concerned that this latest escalation risks further increasing the risk of conflict-related sexual violence,” said Mr. Laurence, noting that “the widespread proliferation of weapons in Goma exacerbates the already significant risks of serious violations and abuses.”
The High Commissioner calls for an end to the violence and asks all parties to respect their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law. “It is essential that the violations committed are investigated, in order to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure comprehensive accountability,” the OHCHR spokesperson insists.
Women at risk of sexual violence
The DRC office of the United Nations agency responsible for sexual and reproductive health (UNFPA) also reports an increase in cases of rape and gender-based violence. "The increasing reports of rape in conflict zones are alarming, while humanitarian access remains dangerously limited," warns the UN agency.
With key humanitarian supply corridors blocked and access to health care severely limited, the needs of women and girls are increasing at an alarming rate. They are bearing the brunt of the devastation and are facing increased risks of sexual and gender-based violence, unwanted pregnancies and loss of essential health services.
“More than 2,000 women are at increased risk of sexual violence and STI/HIV transmission due to their vulnerability.”
In addition, UNFPA estimates that there are approximately 20,000 pregnant women, 15% of whom are at risk of serious complications. According to the UN agency, access to sexual and reproductive health services is seriously affected by the worsening security situation, lack of supplies and lack of access to service delivery points by service providers, including midwives on the front lines in the Kivus.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, on Friday expressed deep concern over the impact of violence on children.
She noted that all parties to the conflict in and around Goma are recruiting and using children while the level of intensity of fighting in the area has significantly increased the risk of child death and injury.
Children, including those who are displaced, are at risk from all six grave violations, including recruitment and use, abduction, sexual violence, and killing and maiming.
“All parties and those who have influence over them must take all necessary measures to end this violence,” said Ms. Gamba, who called on Member States involved in regional peace and mediation efforts to place child protection at the centre of their peacebuilding efforts.
Thousands of displaced people have found refuge in Bukavu
More broadly, the M23 offensive in North Kivu has severely restricted access to Goma. Since Sunday, January 26, Goma airport has been closed and the main roads, including the RN2, have been cut off.
In addition, the border with the Rwandan city of Gisenyi has been inaccessible since January 28, further isolating Goma. This situation hinders the delivery of humanitarian aid and complicates the movement of populations seeking safety.
In South Kivu, access routes to Minova have been impassable since January 18, due to insecurity on several strategic axes. This situation has led to the displacement of more than half of the population to the territory of Kalehe. Around 178,000 displaced people have found refuge in Kalehe, Idjwi, and Bukavu.
In addition, the escalation of hostilities in North and South Kivu led to the internal displacement of nearly 45,000 people to IDP sites in and around Goma between 6 and 25 January. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that nearly 700,000 people have been newly displaced in these two eastern Congolese provinces.
Few refugees reported in neighbouring countries
So far, few Congolese have crossed international borders. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports 600 arrivals in neighbouring Rwanda in recent days.
Daily arrivals in Uganda remain within the usual range, with an average of 150 people per day. In neighbouring Burundi, daily arrivals remain within the normal range of 50-60 per day.
Prior to recent developments, the Democratic Republic of Congo was facing one of the largest displacement crises in Africa, with 6.7 million people internally displaced, including 4.6 million in South and North Kivu.
The DRC also hosts more than 520,000 refugees and asylum seekers from neighboring countries, while 1.1 million Congolese refugees have been hosted in neighboring countries in the region, more than half of them in Uganda.
-0- PANA MA 1Feb2025
