The United States has said Rwanda and its allied M23 rebels must cease their “expansion” in eastern DRC following an attack on an internally displaced persons camp that left 16 civilians dead.
“The United States strongly condemns the attack (Friday) from Rwanda Defense Forces and M23 positions on the Mugunga camp for internally displaced persons in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
The camps were in the neighbourhoods of Lac Vert and Mugunga, near Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, which has seen a sharp uptick in violence over the past few months.
The death toll has since risen to 16.
Miller said “this attack has caused the deaths of at least nine persons and wounded at least 33 others, many of whom were women and children.”
He added: “We are gravely concerned about the recent RDF and M23 expansion in eastern DRC, which has contributed to the displacement of more than 2.5 million people, and call on both parties to respect human rights and adhere to applicable obligations under international humanitarian law.”
The development comes amid increased fighting between M23 rebels and Congolese government forces.
The rebels, who are reportedly backed by Rwanda, have seized several strategic territories in recent days, alarming Kinshasa.
DRC’s Defence Minister Jean Pierre Bemba on Sunday said, “The number of M23 rebels who are backed by Rwanda’s army are increasing in numbers. They are entering the DRC through several border points such as Kibumba, Kabuhanga and Virunga National Park.”
Rwanda has since denied shelling the refugee camp, saying, “The attempt by the U.S. Department of State in its statement of 4 May 2024, to immediately and without any investigation place blame on Rwanda for the loss of lives in the IDP camps, is unjustified.”
Rwanda further said it would not “shoulder responsibility for the bombing of the IDP camps around Goma, or the security and governance failures of the government of the DRC.”
Weapons used
The IDP camp was struck by a 120mm remote-controlled mortar shell manufactured by Israel company Elbit system.
The 120mm mortar round boasts inertial guidance, precision GPS, and semi-active laser which provides less-than-one-meter capability at ranges out to 12 kilometers.
The same weapons were used in February to hit a camp of South African forces in DRC, killing two soldiers and also attack a UN medical evacuation chopper. Two peacekeepers were injured in the chopper attack.
UN’s representative in DRC, Bintou Keita last year told the UN Security Council that “the M23 has conducted itself increasingly as a conventional army rather than an armed group.”
She added: “The M23 possesses firepower and equipment, which is increasingly sophisticated, specifically in terms of long-range fire capacities, mortars and machine guns as well as precision fire against aircraft.”
Rwanda on Sunday said “the position taken by the US government raises serious questions about its credibility as a facilitator in the region, and undermines its ability to play a constructive role towards a peaceful solution.”
Rwanda further said, the “international community, while claiming to support regional processes towards a political solution and durable peace, has been indifferent to the dramatic military build-up in eastern DRC, armed conflict and the resulting deplorable humanitarian situation of millions of Congolese citizens.”
“President Félix Tshisekedi and the Congolese leadership persistently threaten to invade Rwanda and overthrow its government by force. This is why Rwanda will continue to take measures to ensure complete defense of Rwandan territory, and take any legitimate measures to defend our country.”
UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told journalists at UN Headquarters in New York that the situation around Goma continues to remain very tense, with at least 11 incidents involving explosives reported since February.
Bintou Keita condemned the violence against civilians and called on all parties to the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian law and protect civilians.
The escalating violence in North Kivu in the country’s east has triggered a massive exodus to Goma, which now hosts over 500,000 people who have been displaced.
“Despite the volatile situation and insecurity, we and our partners continue to provide assistance,” Mr. Haq said, also noting the need for additional funding to reach those in need with aid.
Credit: Source link