“We are deeply alarmed by the increasing risk of an attack by the armed group M23 on Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo… This risks devastating consequences for civilians, who are increasingly exposed to human rights abuses and abuses,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office OHCHR.
“The High Commissioner has warned many times that sexual violence is a key element in this conflict, a very frightening element,” Ms Shamdasani added. “Armed groups abduct women and girls, imprison them, and use them as sexual slaves, many of whom are raped and then killed.”
Since the withdrawal of the United Nations peacekeeping mission MONUSCO from South Kivu in June 2024, peacekeepers have been guarding key locations in North Kivu, including Goma and Salmon, where the M23, the Congolese National Army, and many others Clashes with armed groups continue.
Hundreds of thousands of people newly evacuated
About 400,000 people have been displaced in North and South Kivu provinces since the beginning of this year alone, according to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR.
UNHCR Spokesperson Matt Saltmarsh highlighted the humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold, largely unnoticed by the outside world, and warned that camps for people forced to flee their homes by violence in South and North Kivu provinces are “unbelievable.” A bomb has fallen.”
These attacks include an explosion at the Kitalaga site in South Kivu province on January 20 that killed two children.
On January 21, five temporary shelters were destroyed in Nzuoro, near Goma, and on Wednesday, the Bushagara ruins, also near Goma, were “severely damaged, causing panic and a new wave of forced evacuations,” Geneva said. Saltmarsh told reporters.
Due to heavy shelling from clashes with M23 rebels, families have been evacuated from various evacuation sites around Goma and are attempting to seek safety within Goma, he said. We are supporting displaced people everywhere.” They have access,” he said.
“But as you understand, access is very difficult at the moment.”
Guterres’ warning
The development comes as the United Nations Secretary-General on Thursday expressed alarm over renewed attacks by M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and “devastating damage” to civilians.
In a statement released by Spokesperson António Guterres, he described reports of salmon confiscations in South Kivu province by Rwandan-backed rebels as an “increasing threat” to the regional capital, Goma, and that all of this was part of a “regional war.” “This poses an increasing threat.” ”.Rwanda denies any direct involvement with the M23 fighter jets.
“The Secretary-General calls on the M23 to immediately cease its attacks, withdraw from all occupied territory and abide by the cease-fire agreement of 31 July 2024,” the UN Secretary-General’s statement continued.
Echoing the Secretary-General’s concerns, OHCHR Spokesperson Ms. Shamdasani said that UN Secretary-General Volker Türk had “impressed upon all States with influence in the State party the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities.” “Please put it on,” he said repeatedly.
The M23 is well-funded and “as the High Commissioner has previously stated, the role played by Rwanda in supporting the M23 in North Kivu, and the role played by other countries in supporting armed groups operating in the DRC, I have to finish my role too,” she insisted. “The people of the Democratic Republic of Congo are exhausted by the violence, conflict and fear of everyday life, and we must not allow it to get any worse.”
stark options
Asked to explain the dangers faced by people displaced in the camps, UNHCR’s Saltmarsh said: “Their options are severe and very limited…The amount of assistance they can receive is very limited. A lot depends on whether agencies like UNHCR act.” UN and NGO partners can also access these sites.
“If they are, we can bring minimal assistance. Otherwise, civilians will be in areas currently occupied by armed groups. It’s very difficult for us to say anything because we don’t have access to the area.”Conditions are the same there. ”
There are already 4.6 million internally displaced persons living in South and North Kivu provinces. UNHCR warned of escalating human rights violations, including looting, maiming, murder, kidnapping, and arbitrary arrests of displaced people mistaken for rebels.
“Hospitals are nearing capacity with wounded civilians,” Saltmarsh said. “Vulnerable women, children and the elderly live in overcrowded and precarious conditions with limited access to food, water and essential services.”
