Bomb Attacks on Eastern Congo Displaced Camps Claim 12 Lives, Including Children

At least 12 people, including children, were killed in bomb attacks on two displaced people camps in Lac Vert and Mugunga, near Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Friday. The attacks, which the United Nations described as a "flagrant violation of human rights and international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime," also injured more than 20 people, mostly women and children.

Why this matters: The escalating conflict in eastern Congo has devastating humanitarian consequences, exacerbating an already dire situation with millions of people displaced and suffering from food insecurity. The international community's response to this crisis will have significant implications for regional stability and the protection of civilians in conflict zones.

The attacks occurred amid an offensive by the M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by the Rwandan government, that has been waging a conflict in mineral-rich eastern Congo since 2021. The DRC government blamed the attacks on the Rwandan army and its "terrorist auxiliaries" the M23 rebels, calling it "barbarity" and "horror in its most serious form!" However, the M23 rebel group denied any role in the killings and blamed Congolese forces instead.

The bombings follow the M23 group's capture of the strategic mining town of Rubaya earlier this week, which holds deposits of tantalum, a key component in the production of smartphones. The decades-long conflict in eastern Congo has produced one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with over 100 armed groups fighting in the region, most for land and control of mines with valuable minerals. The violence has displaced about seven million people, many beyond the reach of aid.

The United States strongly condemned the condemn the attack, stating that the attack came from positions held by Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) and the M23 rebel group. The US is "gravely concerned about the recent RDF and M23 expansion" in eastern Congo and called on both parties to "respect human rights and adhere to applicable obligations under international humanitarian law."

The attacks on the displaced people camps in Lac Vert and Mugunga have exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in eastern Congo. With over 23 million people suffering from food insecurity, the DRC is now the country most affected by food insecurity worldwide. As the conflict continues to escalate, the international community is urging Rwanda and Congo to step back from the brink of war and negotiate a peaceful resolution to protect civilians caught in thebomb, least, people, including, children, displace.

Key Takeaways

• At least 12 people, including children, killed in bomb attacks on displaced people camps in eastern DRC.
• UN condemns attacks as "flagrant violation of human rights and international humanitarian law."
• M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, blamed for attacks, but denies involvement.
• Conflict in eastern DRC has displaced 7 million people, with 23 million suffering from food insecurity.
• International community urges Rwanda and DRC to negotiate peaceful resolution to protect civilians.