**The attack on the Mugunga displaced persons site in Goma: the nightmare for civilians in the DRC**
The recent attack perpetrated by the M23 rebel group against the Mugunga displaced persons site in Goma has once again plunged the Democratic Republic of Congo into the horror of violence. Mortar fire caused the death of 14 people, including children, and many others injured, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
The DRC government reacted strongly against the attack, calling it a “provocation” and promising a proportional response. The Deputy Prime Minister of the Interior stressed the need to refer the matter to the UN Security Council to denounce these barbaric acts, described as war crimes, deliberately targeting civilians.
Congolese authorities denounce Rwanda’s role in this conflict, maintaining that the M23 terrorist group acts in collaboration with the Rwandan army. This escalation of violence endangers the security of civilian populations who, once again, are targeted in a conflict that transcends national borders.
The President of the Republic has decided to urgently return to his country to coordinate the response to this new wave of violence. It is crucial that the international community condemns these terrorist acts and supports the DRC in its fight for security and stability in the region.
In this troubled time, it is essential to remember that the lives of civilians must not be sacrificed in the name of political or territorial interests. The protection of vulnerable populations must be a top priority for all actors involved in this conflict.
Faced with the horror unfolding in Mugunga, it is time to take concrete measures to end the violence and work towards lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Innocent civilians should not be the victims of this conflict, but rather the beneficiaries of a newfound peace.