The UN Human Rights Council condemned Rwanda for supporting M23 rebels in eastern Congo, where violence has surged since January, resulting in thousands of casualties. An investigation into human rights violations will be conducted by an independent commission, while calls for an end to military support and human rights abuses have been made to both Rwanda and the rebels.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has condemned Rwanda for its support of rebel groups in eastern Congo, calling for an investigation into human rights violations in the region. This decision followed a consensus request from Congo amidst escalating violence attributable to the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, who have recently taken control of Goma, resulting in extensive casualties since January.
Approximately 3,000 individuals have been killed and nearly as many have suffered injuries due to the ongoing conflict. The region is rich in minerals essential for technology production, including mobile phones. The UN resolution unequivocally denounces Rwanda’s military assistance to the M23 rebels, which is linked to increasing civilian casualties and displacement.
The council has urged both the M23 rebels and the Rwandan armed forces to cease human rights abuses in the North and South Kivu regions and facilitate humanitarian aid access through Goma’s airport. An independent commission of inquiry comprising three international law experts will be established to investigate the rights violations.
Reports by UN experts indicate that about 4,000 Rwandan troops support the M23 rebels, who stand as a dominant force among over 100 armed groups in the area. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the rebels to disarm and pursue peaceful mediation.
Volker Türk, the U.N. human rights chief, provided alarming statistics indicating that the violence had intensified recently, with potential casualty figures significantly higher than reported. He warned, “If nothing is done, then the worst could still be yet to come for the inhabitants of the eastern part of the country.”
Türk highlighted the suffering of the Congolese populace over several decades and called for urgent international intervention, questioning the number of innocent lives lost in the ongoing crisis. Meanwhile, the M23 rebels sought to gain legitimacy by organizing public events to demonstrate safety for residents, aiming to bolster their support amidst international scrutiny.
Congo’s communications minister, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, urged the UN to hold Rwanda accountable for alleged crimes against humanity, including forced displacements intended to secure territorial gains. In response, Rwanda’s ambassador to UN institutions, James Ngango, emphasized the threat posed by remnants of armed groups from the 1994 genocide, alleging the perpetuation of genocidal ideologies that threaten Rwanda’s security.
In summary, the UN Human Rights Council’s condemnation of Rwanda’s military support for the M23 rebels marks a critical response to escalating violence in eastern Congo. The establishment of an independent inquiry, alongside calls for immediate cessation of human rights violations, indicates heightened international concern. Both the civilian toll and the rich mineral resources of the region underscore the pressing need for resolution to this ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Original Source: apnews.com
