Rwanda-backed rebels move deeper into eastern Congo as UN reports executions and rapes
Rwanda-backed rebels were quickly expanding their presence in eastern Congo after capturing Goma, the region's major city, the U.N. said Friday, also expressing concerns over executions it learned were carried out by the rebels following a major escalation of their years-long rebellion. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the World Health Organization and its partners conducted an assessment with Congo’s government between Jan. 26-30 “and report that 700 people have been killed and 2,800 injured” in Goma and the vicinity. The rebels were now about 60 km from South Kivu's provincial capital of Buakavu and “seem to be moving quite fast,” U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said at a press briefing on Friday. Goma's capture has brought humanitarian operations to “a standstill, cutting off a vital lifeline for aid delivery across eastern," said Rose Tchwenko, country director for Mercy Corps aid group in Congo.
Discover Related
South Sudan is teetering on the edge of renewed civil war, UN envoy says
UN agency calls for urgent aid as conflict drives refugees from DR Congo
Renewed fighting in DR Congo as regional powers step up ceasefire efforts
Mapping the human toll of the conflict in DR Congo
Uganda: the quiet power in the eastern DRC conflict
Rwanda, DRC presidents hold surprise ceasefire talks in Qatar
Congolese, Rwandan leaders meet in Qatar, call for ceasefire in eastern DRC
Rwanda and Belgium expel each other's diplomats over DRC violence
M23 rebels withdraw from Congo peace talks, citing international sanctions
DR Congo and M23 rebels confirm participation in Angola peace talks
Congo and M23 rebel group will hold peace talks on Tuesday, mediator Angola says
Congo faces setback in mpox response after Rwanda-backed rebels advance in the east
Islamic State-linked rebels in fresh attack in eastern Congo kill 9 villagers