The article in question highlighted the devastating consequences of the aggression of the Rwandan-backed terrorist group M23 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The government report reveals that more than two million Congolese have been forced to flee their homes, creating a major humanitarian crisis.
Beyond the impact on the population, the report also highlights the disastrous environmental consequences. The massive deforestation caused by the displacement of these millions of people has had a devastating impact on the region’s fragile ecosystems. Additionally, damage to the UNESCO-listed Virunga Park is estimated at between US$40 million and US$60 million, and could take years of work to repair.
Children are also victims of this crisis, with around 200,000 of them deprived of access to education due to their displacement. More than 240 schools have been destroyed or burned, and many children find themselves without education in precarious conditions.
The economic consequences are also not negligible. Critical infrastructure, such as the Bunagana-Goma road, was damaged, hampering trade and causing significant financial losses for the country. Indeed, at the Bunagana border post alone, it is estimated that more than US$1 million in revenue is lost every month.
This crisis also has a direct impact on the current electoral process. Around 1.5 million people of voting age have not yet registered to vote, and candidates for the upcoming elections are struggling to submit their applications. This situation compromises the democratic participation of Congolese citizens and endangers the political stability of the country.
The Congolese government, aware of the dramatic repercussions of this aggression, is committed to confronting the situation. He urges international opinion to consult this report to better understand the extent of the damage and to condemn Rwanda’s actions.
It is essential that the international community mobilizes to support the Democratic Republic of Congo during this difficult period. The urgency is to guarantee the security of displaced populations, rebuild destroyed infrastructure and provide adequate humanitarian aid. Only a collective and united approach will make it possible to overcome the consequences of this aggression and prevent new humanitarian crises.