Over 6.5 Lakh Displaced In Congo As M23 Militia Expands Control With Rampage Mass Killings, Rape And Rwanda’s Alleged Support

The M23 militia's reign of terror in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) shows no signs of abating, with harrowing reports of mass killings, rapes, and forced displacements emerging from conflict-ridden eastern regions. Survivors and eyewitnesses have painted a grim picture of the atrocities, underscoring the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

Humanitarian organisations warn that the scale of sexual violence has reached unprecedented levels, overshadowing even the DRC's long history of conflict-driven atrocities. The M23 militia, also known as the March 23 Movement, has expanded its influence, reportedly with support from Rwanda, drawing sharp international condemnation.

Key Incidents of Brutality by the M23 Militia:

Rubaya Market Attack (April 2024):

Six children were brutally killed in a marketplace, their skulls crushed with a wooden pestle and mortar, as eyewitnesses recounted the horrific scene.

A 32-year-old survivor, who fled the site, was later caught by the militia. She and her friend were raped, while another companion was executed.

Rape and Family Tragedies:

A 25-year-old mother was raped at gunpoint in front of her daughters after witnessing her husband’s murder.

Another survivor, aged 27, was gang-raped by eight men while working in her fields.

Sexual Violence Epidemic:

Médecins Sans Frontières reported treating over 25,166 survivors of sexual violence in 2023 alone. This grim figure has already been exceeded halfway through 2024, highlighting the worsening crisis.

The violence extends beyond physical atrocities, with the M23 militia systematically undermining local governance structures in areas under its control. By imposing taxation regimes and dismantling traditional authority, the group appears to be laying the groundwork for long-term territorial control.

UN reports have implicated Rwanda in the M23's operations, with intelligence suggesting the presence of up to 4,000 Rwandan troops in eastern DRC. While Rwanda denies these allegations, citing security threats, the evidence has fueled tensions and calls for international intervention.

In Goma, the regional capital surrounded by overcrowded displacement camps, over 650,000 people have sought refuge from the violence. Conditions remain dire, with inadequate resources and rampant sexual violence exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Analysts warn that the M23’s actions could signal a strategy to annex parts of the DRC, drawing parallels with Russia’s annexation of Crimea. As the crisis escalates, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the atrocities and mitigate further destabilization in the region.

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