In the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) North Kivu province, at least 19 people were killed in an attack on the town of Mweso. The incident, attributed to the M23 rebel group, also resulted in injuries to 27 other civilians.
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Guillaume N’djike Kaïko, in a statement broadcast on state television, revealed that the rebels shelled Mweso indiscriminately, leading to widespread civilian casualties. Following the attack, the streets of Mweso were deserted, with most residents seeking refuge in the Mweso General Hospital.
The M23 group, known for its seizure of Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city, a decade ago, has been accused by the DRC government of failing to honor a 2009 peace agreement. Despite these accusations, there has been no response from the rebel group regarding the latest attack.
FILE – War-displaced people flee towards the city of Goma, eastern Republic of Congo, Nov. 15, 2022. More than 130 armed groups operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are creating havoc and terrorizing the population with their brutal, frequent attacks.
U.N. experts had previously warned of the increasing frequency and intensity of M23 attacks, noting a significant rise in territory under their control. These developments have led to considerable displacement of civilians and indiscriminate shelling, including deliberate attacks on civilians and U.N. peacekeeping forces.
The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, involving over 120 groups vying for power, land, and valuable resources, has long been a source of instability in the region. The security crisis, which featured prominently in the recent presidential election, saw the re-election of President Felix Tshisekedi, who promised to address the violence.
Tensions between Congo and neighboring Rwanda have intensified, with Tshisekedi accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, a claim that Rwanda denies. The M23 group claims to protect Tutsi interests against Hutu militias, linking back to the leaders involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
