The Investigation Confirms the Murder of Civilians in Congo

• Militants supported by Rwanda killed 319 people in Congo in the last month.
• The UN calls for an end to violence following the signing of the peace agreement.
• M23 captured two towns in eastern Congo at the beginning of the year.

DAKAR, Senegal — According to the head of the UN Human Rights Office, in the last month in eastern Congo, at least 319 people were killed as a result of attacks by militants supported by Rwanda. This number is one of the highest recorded in such attacks since the resumption of M23's activities in 2022.

The head of the UN Human Rights Office, Volker Turk, stated that the militants, supported by members of the Rwandan armed forces, targeted four villages in the province of North Kivu between July 9 and July 21.

The continuation of violence may threaten Qatar's efforts to achieve a peace agreement between Congo and the militants by August 18. One of the conditions of the agreement is the protection of civilians and the safe return of millions of people who have been forced to leave their homes due to the conflict.

At the beginning of the year, M23 captured two key towns in eastern Congo, which marked a significant escalation of the conflict over support from neighboring Rwandan forces. In Congo, there has already been a prolonged bloody struggle, in which more than 100 armed groups participate.

On July 19, both parties signed a declaration of principles in Qatar for the cessation of hostilities and the obligation to participate in a comprehensive peace agreement, which includes the restoration of state authority in key areas in the east, controlled by the insurgents.

However, according to Turk's words, the new UN statement indicates that deadly attacks have already occurred in the days following the signing of this declaration. "I am alarmed by the attacks on civilians by M23 and other armed groups," he said, calling for an immediate cessation of attacks on civilians.

Tags: Politics/Crime