M23 rebels backed by Rwanda commit killings, rapes, and exploit minerals in DRC

M23 rebels are using shocking methods to terrorize the people of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). On April 4, 2024, they attacked the town of Rubaya and used a large wooden mortar and pestle to kill six children in a marketplace brutally. Isabel, a 32-year-old woman, witnessed this horrific act before fleeing.

She and a friend were later captured and raped, while another friend was executed. This is just one of many testimonies of M23’s atrocities, which include mass killings, rapes, and abductions. Women have been raped in front of their children, and others attacked in public during daylight.

The DRC has long been known for high levels of sexual violence, but the situation has worsened significantly. M23 rebels are heavily armed and backed by Rwanda, a country viewed as an important ally by Western nations like the UK and the US. A senior diplomat described Rwanda’s strategy: “Rwanda has wooed the West, particularly the UK. They’re playing a dual narrative: reliable partner on the one hand while facilitating conflict in the Congo.”

M23’s presence is expanding in the DRC, with reports suggesting they may aim to annex a large part of eastern Congo. The group has pushed over 80 kilometers into the DRC, controlling territory half the size of Rwanda. Many women in these areas are at risk of rape, and those who speak out often face threats.

Data shows a record number of sexual violence cases, but the real numbers are likely higher as many survivors remain silent.

Rwanda’s involvement goes beyond just supporting M23. The country profits from the DRC’s vast mineral resources, including coltan, a key material for electronic devices and green energy. A UN source revealed that minerals mined under M23 control are smuggled into Rwanda and sold as conflict-free. Critics argue that international support and deals with Rwanda indirectly fuel the conflict.

Despite mounting evidence of atrocities, the international community has failed to take strong action against Rwanda. UN experts have called for sanctions, but Western countries have hesitated, citing Rwanda’s strategic importance and its past genocide in 1994 as reasons for caution. Some believe this reluctance enables Rwanda to continue its involvement in the DRC’s violence.

Conditions in refugee camps near Goma are also dire. Women and children face constant threats of violence and rape. Many are forced to engage in survival sex to get food or shelter. A local charity reported a sharp increase in sexual violence cases, while Goma’s brothels, many involving children, have doubled in number over the past year.

Lt. Col. Guillaume Ndjike of the Congolese army expressed frustration over the lack of international action: “The mission is to put the aggressor and his allies out of our national territory.” The DRC is fighting not just for its land but for the safety and dignity of its people, while the world, as one survivor said, “watches and does nothing.”

Source: The Guardian.