At the heart of the tragic news shaking the Rutshuru region in North Kivu, horror has once again struck the peaceful towns of Kabizo and Bundase. On this fateful evening of Monday, October 7, 2024, seven civilians were killed in circumstances of unprecedented violence. These deaths were caused by violent clashes between M23 rebels and young volunteers defending the homeland, plunging the local population into an abyss of terror and mourning.
The macabre scenario took place around 4 p.m., leaving behind a heartbreaking toll. Six of the victims’ bodies were discovered that same evening, while the seventh was not found until the next morning, bringing to seven the number of innocent lives claimed by these tragic events. The inhabitants of the surrounding area now live in fear of future reprisals, fearing for their own safety and that of their loved ones.
The region’s civil society has reacted with indignation and condemnation to these barbaric acts perpetrated against the civilian population. This civic structure, guarantor of fundamental rights, calls for firm and immediate action by the Congolese authorities to put an end to the atrocities committed by the M23 rebels and ensure the protection of innocent civilians caught in the trap of this armed conflict.
It is essential that the international community become aware of this critical situation and provide support to the vulnerable populations of this wounded region. The human rights violations that regularly occur in the Rutshuru territory cannot be tolerated, and it is imperative that concrete measures be taken to put an end to these atrocities and guarantee the safety and dignity of the inhabitants of these disaster areas.
While waiting for a reaction from the M23 rebel movement, accused of these heinous crimes, the local population remains prey to fear and uncertainty, hoping for better days and lasting peace in a region where suffering and violence have dictated their law for too long. It is time for the international community to mobilize to put an end to this vicious spiral of violence and injustice, and finally work towards the advent of a more peaceful future for the wounded inhabitants of Rutshuru and all the areas prey to the horrors of war.