By Ebi Kesiena
The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk, has accused Rwanda-backed insurgents in the Democratic Republic of Congo of killing and recruiting children.
This disturbing development comes after the insurgents, known as M23, seized control of the city of Bukavu, home to 1.3 million people, following their capture of Goma last month.
Turk’s office confirmed instances of children being summarily executed by M23 after entering Bukavu on Tuesday.
Furthermore, children were found in possession of weapons, and hospitals as well as humanitarian aid warehouses were attacked. These alarming reports are part of a broader pattern of violence, with both Congolese government forces and insurgents previously accused of recruiting children.
The conflict in eastern Congo has resulted in devastating humanitarian consequences, including the displacement of thousands and the reported deaths of at least 3,000 people in the Goma fighting. The M23 is one of over 100 armed groups vying for control of the region’s vast mineral wealth, which is critical for the global technology industry.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has launched a commission to investigate atrocities committed by both sides since the beginning of the year, including rapes and killings akin to “summary executions.” The international community must take immediate action to protect civilians, particularly children, and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict
