Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo – Two camps for displaced people in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo were rocked by twin bomb blasts, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 12 individuals, including children. The United Nations, aid group, and government officials confirmed the devastating impact of the explosions in Lac Vert and Mugunga, near the city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.
The attacks, which left over 20 people injured, were deemed as a violation of human rights and international humanitarian law, possibly constituting a war crime. Witnesses described how victims were caught unaware, sleeping soundly in their tents when the bombs struck, prompting chaos and panic as residents fled for safety.
Blame for the bombings quickly surfaced, with the Congolese military and the United States pointing fingers at the military forces in neighbouring Rwanda and the M23 rebel group. Rwanda vehemently denied the accusations, dismissing them as baseless and absurd. Counteraccusations were made by government spokespersons linking the assault to militias supported by the Congolese military and retaliatory strikes from both sides.
The intensifying conflict in the region has prompted hundreds of thousands of civilians to seek refuge in Goma, a strategic area caught between Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. Trapped in the crossfire, innocent bystanders have become victims of the ongoing clashes between armed factions vying for control over valuable mining resources.
Amidst the chaos and bloodshed, humanitarian organizations like Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders have voiced concerns for the safety and well-being of those affected by the violence. They are urging all parties involved to prioritize the protection of civilians, particularly women and children living in displacement camps, and to end the use of explosive weapons near populated areas.
The conflict-plagued history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to haunt its people, with a death toll climbing into the millions since the eruption of violence in 1996. The staggering number of displaced individuals, now estimated to be around seven million, paints a grim picture of the enduring hardships faced by those caught in the crosshairs of political and military strife. In a joint plea for peace, global leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron have called for an end to external support for rebel groups like M23, emphasizing the urgency for all states to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.