New York: The United Nations has said that a surge in attacks and violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed over 700 lives at the hands of militia fighters since December.
Rebel fighters have plagued the eastern parts of the country for decades, many of them a legacy of regional and local wars that spread during the 1990s and 2000s. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a three-monthly report on the situation in DRC that the security situation declined further in the three provinces of the African country with a steep increase in violence. The UN report said the violence was carried out mainly by the Allied Democratic Forces CODECO; and M23 insurgents in the eastern part of DRC.
UN Secretary-General expresses concern over violence in DRC
The UN Secretary-General expressed concern over human rights violations in the area, adding as many as 628 people were killed in extrajudicial killings by militant groups around the African country. Some Western governments say the M23 militants are supported by Rwanda eyeing the natural resources in the region, a claim refused by Kigali. The UN chief said he was concerned about a rise in hate speech aggravated by M23 violence and tension between Rwanda and the DRC.
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“I am also worried by the rising tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. I encourage both countries to settle their issues through talks and existing conflict resolution systems,” Guterres further said.
