Congo Conflict: M23 warns of escalating violence against civilians
Addressing allegations of atrocities at Munzenze Central Prison, M23 distanced itself from the incident, claiming the violence occurred before its forces entered Goma.
The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) has raised alarm over an escalating humanitarian crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), accusing government forces and their allies of carrying out brutal attacks against civilians.
In a statement on Monday, the group warned that it may intervene if the violence does not stop.
"The FARDC and its allied forces continue to commit unspeakable atrocities against civilians, including assassinations and widespread looting. These crimes must stop immediately; otherwise, we will have no choice but to intervene to protect the Congolese population," M23 stated.
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Leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have called for a joint ministerial meeting within 30 days to push for peace in eastern DRC.
The resolution was reached during the high-level summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, co-chaired by President William Ruto and Zimbabwe's Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday.
The upcoming ministerial meeting will focus on the Chief of Defence Forces (CDFs) report regarding the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.
The group also pushed back against accusations that displaced civilians are being forced to return to their homes in areas now under its control.
It insisted that residents are returning voluntarily and only when safety is assured.
"Contrary to the propaganda of the Kinshasa regime, amplified by certain biased media outlets, internally displaced persons are returning willingly to their now-secured homes. We do not compel anyone to return without firm security guarantees," the statement read further.
Addressing allegations of atrocities at Munzenze Central Prison, M23 distanced itself from the incident, claiming the violence occurred before its forces entered Goma.
"The massacres, the rape of women, and the burning of prison cells happened two days before the liberation of Goma," the group asserted.
M23 also aimed at the United Nations peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, accusing it of spreading misinformation that distorts the reality on the ground.
"These baseless accusations only serve to inflame tensions," the statement said.
The situation in eastern DRC remains volatile, with civilians bearing the brunt of ongoing violence and competing narratives over who is responsible for the unrest.
Last week, The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that at least 843 people have been killed and 3,082 injured in Goma since the conflict intensified on January 26, 2025.
Medical facilities are overwhelmed, with over 70 health centres in North Kivu affected, some destroyed. Exhausted and under-resourced, many health workers are fleeing for safety.
WHO warned that the situation is becoming increasingly dire as medical supplies dwindle and wounded civilians struggle to reach care.
"The sight of bodies left uncared for is distressing. The dead must be identified and buried properly, not just for dignity but for the peace of those they leave behind," the organization stated.
The outbreak of violence is also fueling the spread of disease, with WHO recording nearly 600 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths in North Kivu between January 1 and 27, 2025.
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