Rwanda-backed M23 rebels abducted 130 patients from hospitals in Goma, eastern Congo, targeting those believed to be associated with the Congolese army. The UN condemned these actions, emphasizing they are holding individuals in undisclosed locations. The conflict in eastern Congo has intensified, leading to thousands of casualties as rebels expand their control amid regional tensions.
On February 28, 2023, M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, abducted a total of 130 individuals, consisting of sick and wounded men from two hospitals in Goma, a city that they had previously captured. According to the United Nations Human Rights Office spokesperson, Ravina Shamdasani, the raiders took 116 patients from CBCA Ndosho Hospital and an additional 15 from Heal Africa Hospital, targeting those they suspected to be Congolese army personnel or affiliated with the pro-government Wazalendo militia.
Shamdasani expressed serious concern regarding these incidents, emphasizing that it is “deeply distressing that M23 is snatching patients from hospital beds in coordinated raids and holding them incommunicado in undisclosed locations.” The UN has called for the immediate release of those taken.
The M23 rebel group has made significant advances in eastern Congo since the beginning of the year, resulting in the deaths of approximately 3,000 individuals and marking a notable escalation in the ongoing conflict which has persisted for over a decade. The M23 rebels rapidly seized Goma, the primary city in that region, as well as Bukavu, the second largest city, amid a swift three-week offensive.
This region is critically important due to its vast resources of gold and coltan, a mineral essential for manufacturing electronic devices such as laptops and smartphones. Reports indicate that M23 is supported by around 4,000 Rwandan troops, and there are threats indicating their intentions to advance towards Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, situated over 1,000 miles away.
Rwanda has alleged that the Congolese government is recruiting ethnic Hutu fighters who were involved in the 1994 genocide. In contrast, M23 claims its mission is to protect Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan descent from persecution, aspiring to convert Congo into a stable, modern state. However, analysts see these claims as mere justifications for Rwanda’s continued involvement in the conflict.
In summary, the abduction of patients by M23 rebels from hospitals in Goma highlights the alarming escalation of violence in eastern Congo. With the backing of Rwandan forces, the M23 group has rapidly expanded its control and has caused significant casualties, further complicating an already volatile situation. The international community, represented by the United Nations, has called for the immediate release of the abducted individuals and is closely monitoring the ongoing crisis.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
