M23 rebels' havoc continues, mother raped in front of daughter, children brutally murdered

The havoc of M23 rebels continues in Congo, Africa. They are constantly carrying out major incidents like mass murder, rape and forced displacement. According to eyewitnesses, in April the rebels killed six children in a market in Rubaya by crushing their heads with wood.

Raped while trying to escape

According to a media report, the 32-year-old woman herself witnessed the brutal killing of the children before fleeing. She said that she and her companions were also caught. Later, she and one of her friends were raped. While one was killed.

23 March Movement

The M23 rebels are also known as the March 23 Movement. It is a rebel group active in the eastern regions of Congo. This group has been responsible for many human rights violations, war crimes and atrocities. The rebels force women into prostitution. Not only this, attacking people in the daytime has become common. Witnesses are murdered.

Cruelty to a woman in front of her daughter

The 25-year-old woman said she was raped at gunpoint in front of her daughter. Her husband was later killed, while another 27-year-old victim was gang-raped by eight men while she was tending to her crop.

Women are brutally attacked. Victims are raped at gunpoint in front of their children. Humanitarian organizations have warned that sexual violence levels in the region have escalated.

What is M23?

M23 first emerged 10 years ago when its fighters seized Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo. The group was named M23 because of a peace deal signed on March 23, 2009, which advocated the integration of rebels into the Congolese army. M23 accuses the government of not abiding by the deal. It has long been accused of working with support from Rwanda.

M23 became active again

According to a media report, the M23, which became active again in late 2021, began killing civilians and seizing areas. M23 fighters began harassing and raping women.

Responsible for the crimes

However, the Congolese border defence force Rwanda denied allegations of supporting the M23 and justified its military presence as protection against threats posed from across the border. However, a UN report to the Security Council earlier this year said Rwanda was responsible for the M23's war crimes, including territorial conquests and atrocities.

6.5 lakh people took shelter 

In the regional capital Goma, surrounded by filthy displacement camps, more than 650,000 people have taken refuge to escape the violence. Record levels of sexual violence have emerged, with 25,166 victims treated in 2023 alone – a number that has already been surpassed by mid-2024, according to one report.

PC: Inkhabar