Approximately 7,000 individuals have lost their lives since January due to ongoing hostilities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, as reported by the DRC’s prime minister during a high-level session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday.
Judith Suminwa Tuluka further noted that around 450,000 people are currently homeless following the destruction of 90 displacement camps.
The advance of the M23 group represents the most serious escalation in over a decade of persistent conflict in eastern Congo.
Rwanda has denied accusations from Congo, the United Nations, and Western nations regarding its alleged provision of arms and troops to the M23.
The prime minister called on the international community to take action and implement “dissuasive sanctions” in light of widespread displacements and extrajudicial killings.
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“It is beyond words to convey the screams and cries of millions affected by this conflict,” she stated.
In his opening remarks at the 58th UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that human rights globally are being “suffocated” and highlighted the alarming human rights violations occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
