Fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has led to the deaths of approximately 7,000 people since January, with both combatants and civilians among the victims, DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa said during a meeting at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. The violence has also left around 450,000 people displaced, following the destruction of 90 displacement camps.
Suminwa reported that about 3,000 of the deaths occurred in Goma, a city heavily impacted by the conflict. The M23 rebel group, which has seized significant territory in eastern Congo, including Goma and Bukavu, is at the center of the violence. The DRC government accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels, a claim Rwanda denies.
The ongoing conflict is rooted in a struggle for power, identity, and resources dating back to the 1990s, following the Rwandan genocide. Suminwa urged the international community to impose sanctions on Rwanda, citing the mass displacements and reports of summary executions carried out during the fighting.
The United Nations also reported that around 40,000 people have fled to Burundi in the past two weeks to escape the violence. Suminwa warned that the situation could escalate and potentially affect neighboring countries.
