Chaos in Congo: Refugee Camps Bombed, US Points Finger at Rwanda
Twin bomb blasts have killed at least 12 people, including children, in two displaced camps in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to government officials, the United Nations, and an aid group.
Explosions targeted camps in Lac Vert and Mugunga near Goma, North Kivu province, causing at least 20 injuries and violating human rights and humanitarian law. The UN claims the attacks may constitute a war crime. Amidst the turmoil, the United States has pointed a finger at Rwanda and the M23 rebel group, accusing the neighboring country of orchestrating the attacks.
The attacks, in which at least 20 people were injured, were a “flagrant violation of human rights and international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime”, it said.
Rwanda denies US accusations of a “ridiculous” assault on displaced people, blaming the assault on militias supported by the Congolese military.
The DRC’s army spokesperson, Guillaume Njike Kaiko, claimed the attacks were retaliation for previous DRC strikes on Rwandan army positions, which resulted in the destruction of arms and ammunition.
According to Al Jazeera’s Fintan Monaghan, report shells fired from an area controlled by M23, who denied any role in the attacks and blamed DRC forces.
Fighting in eastern DRC has forced civilians to flee to Goma, causing dozens to be injured, mostly women and children, and the final death toll remains unclear.
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The U.S. strongly condemns the attack today from Rwanda Defense Forces and M23 positions on the Mugunga camp for Internally Displaced Persons in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is essential that all states respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) May 3, 2024
This is ridiculous Matthew, how do you come to this absurd conclusion? The RDF, a professional army, would never attack an IDP camp. Look to the lawless FDLR & Wazalendo supported by the FARDC, for this kind of atrocity. https://t.co/vtyawZLxBp— Yolande Makolo (@YolandeMakolo) May 4, 2024
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