The United States has come out strongly against the recent attacks on displacement camps in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The attack, which took place in the eastern part of the country, resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people and left many others seriously injured.
The camps, located in Lac Vert and Mugunga on the outskirts of Goma, were shelled in what the US State Department has identified as coming from “Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) and M23 positions.”
This attack has further exacerbated the already dire situation in the region, with more than 2.5 million people already displaced due to the ongoing conflict.
The US State Department expressed grave concern over the recent expansion of RDF and M23 forces in eastern DRC, noting that it has only served to increase the suffering of innocent civilians.
The conflict between the Congolese armed forces and M23 rebels has intensified in recent months, leading to more people seeking refuge in Goma.
The accusations against Rwanda for supporting the M23 rebels have been ongoing, with Kinshasa, the United Nations, and Western powers all pointing fingers at Kigali. Despite Rwanda’s denial of involvement, the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate.
In response to the recent attacks, the Congolese armed forces and M23 rebels have blamed each other for the violence.
The Congolese military claims that the M23 rebels targeted the refugee camps after their weapons and ammunition depot was destroyed.
However, the M23 rebels have denied any involvement in the attacks and have instead pointed fingers at the Congolese forces.
After witnessing the escalating violence and tensions between the Congolese armed forces and the M23 rebels, President Felix Tshisekedi made the decision to return home early from his trip to Europe.
The fighting between the two groups has created a volatile situation near Goma, leading to a wave of displaced people seeking refuge in the city.
Accusations of Rwandan support for the M23 rebels have long been a point of contention, with Kinshasa, the United Nations, and Western powers pointing fingers at Kigali while Rwanda denies any involvement.
The recent attacks on refugee camps further exacerbated the conflict, with both sides blaming each other for the violence.
The United Nations condemned the attacks as a violation of human rights and international humanitarian law, potentially constituting a war crime.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, President Tshisekedi’s early return highlights the urgency of the situation and the need for diplomatic efforts to bring peace and stability to the Congo.
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