UN Blasts Use of S3xual Violence in DRC as Rebel Fighting Escalates

The United Nations has strongly condemned the use of s3xual violence as a weapon of war amid the ongoing fighting between M23 rebels and Congolese troops in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

As military operations intensify, the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has raised alarm over the increasing reports of rape and other forms of s3xual violence used as tactics in the conflict.

Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for UN human rights chief Volker Türk, emphasized the devastating impact of sexual violence in the region, noting that it has been a “shocking feature of armed conflict” in the DRC for decades.

Laurence expressed deep concern over the latest escalation, warning that the situation could make matters worse for the victims.

The fighting, primarily between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group, continues to affect thousands of civilians.

The DRC government has officially labeled M23 as a terrorist organization, while Rwanda has denied supporting the rebels, despite accusations from the DRC. The conflict, which has led to large-scale displacement, has also fueled significant humanitarian issues.

Since M23’s takeover of Goma on January 28, the capital of North Kivu, more than 200 cases of sexual violence have been reported.

UN officials, however, suspect that the actual number is much higher, as many survivors are reluctant to report the abuse due to stigma and fear of retribution.

In addition to the rise in s3xual violence, the region is facing a public health crisis.

The World Health Organization has warned that the spread of diseases such as malaria, cholera, and a more severe strain of mpox has worsened, with vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, bearing the brunt of this health crisis.

The fighting has also left a trail of destruction. The UN reports at least 700 deaths and over 2,800 injuries since the M23 rebel group’s advance into Goma.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has confirmed that many displacement camps have been emptied as families flee for safety, adding to the nearly 6 million displaced persons in the DRC.

Despite these horrors, the M23 rebels continue to push south towards Bukavu, forcing civilians into labor and conscripting them to fight.

With thousands of civilians at risk, UN human rights chief Volker Türk has called for urgent investigations into the violations and stressed the need to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.