The United States has pointed fingers at the Rwandan army and the M23 rebel group for the fatal bombing of a displacement camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The attack, which occurred on Friday at the Mugunga camp in the eastern city of Goma, claimed the lives of at least nine individuals, including seven children. The Congolese army and M23 have traded blame over the incident.
Rwanda, neighbouring DR Congo, has faced widespread accusations of supporting the rebel group. In response to the US accusation, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makalo dismissed the claim as “ridiculous,” asserting the professionalism of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and denying any involvement in attacking an Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp.
The US State Department attributed the attack to positions held by the RDF and the M23 group. Expressing grave concern over the situation, the US urged both parties to uphold human rights and adhere to international humanitarian law.
Images circulated on social media depicted the aftermath of the strike, with bodies strewn across the camp, where residents sought refuge from conflicts in their hometowns and villages.
Lt Col Guillaume Njike Kaiko, spokesperson for DR Congo’s army in the region, stated that the attack was retaliatory in response to prior Congolese assaults on Rwandan army positions.
President Félix Tshisekedi, returning to the country after weeks abroad, is set to address the situation following the attack.
Amidst accusations of abuses against civilians by rebel and government troops vying for territorial control, the recent strike occurred shortly after M23 fighters claimed control over the town of Rubaya, a key area for coltan mining used in mobile phones and electric vehicle batteries.
Additionally, a military court in Goma has sentenced eight DR Congo soldiers to death for “desertion” and “cowardice” during confrontations with rebel forces.
M23, emerging in 2012 ostensibly to safeguard the ethnic Tutsi population in eastern DR Congo, has been linked by UN experts to Rwanda, allegations consistently denied by Kigali.
