Nearly 3,000 people killed in Goma in ongoing conflict in Eastern DR Congo, says UN
HRW
The United Nations has reported that nearly 3,000 people have been killed in Goma, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following its capture by rebels after days of intense fighting with the Congolese army.
Vivian van de Perre, deputy head of the UN mission in the DRC, revealed that “so far, 2,000 bodies have been collected from the Goma streets in recent days, and 900 bodies remain in the morgues of the Goma hospitals.”
She warned that the death toll is expected to rise as more bodies remain in decomposing conditions.
The situation escalated after the rebel coalition, Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)—which includes the M23 armed group—declared a ceasefire on Tuesday, citing a humanitarian crisis caused by the Congolese government.
However, Kinshasa dismissed the announcement as “false communication,” with reports of continued heavy fighting in South Kivu province.
The DRC, a nation of over 100 million people, has been plagued by decades of conflict driven by ethnic divisions and struggles over land and mineral resources.
The Congolese government, the United States, and UN experts have accused neighboring Rwanda of backing M23, though Kigali denies these claims.
As rebel forces advance in the mineral-rich region, the UN expressed deep concern over the security of Bukavu, just 50 kilometers away from M23-controlled territory.
The potential loss of Kavumu Airport, a vital hub for humanitarian operations, adds to the urgency of the crisis.
