Breaking Him: Over 160 Civilians Killed in DRC Attack; UN, Rwanda Trade Blame
The United Nations has reported a gruesome attack on civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), further straining relations between the DRC and Rwanda. The UN’s human rights office accused the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, of killing at least 169 farmers and other civilians in the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu province on July 9.
The UN asserts that the M23 targeted suspected members of another rebel group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). The FDLR is composed of remnants of a Hutu paramilitary force responsible for the 1994 genocide in neighboring Rwanda. However, M23 leader, Bertrand Bisimwa, dismissed the UN report as a “smear campaign,” promising to investigate the “unconfirmed accusations.”
Reuters could not independently verify the attack, but an activist in Rutshuru confirmed witness testimonies of M23 fighters killing scores of civilians, predominantly Congolese Hutu farmers. This attack could be one of the deadliest since the M23’s resurgence.
The incident threatens President Donald Trump’s peace initiative in the DRC. Trump expects to host leaders of the DRC, Felix Tshisekedi, and Rwanda, Paul Kagame, in the coming weeks to finalize a peace agreement. A deal struck in Washington last month tasks Kinshasa with “neutralizing” the FDLR as Rwanda withdraws from DRC territory. Both operations were set to commence this past Sunday but their progress remains unclear, with three months left to conclude.
The UN report and the M23 attack jeopardize the Washington Agreement, designed to restore calm to the DRC, secure its rich mineral reserves for U.S. access, and potentially stabilize the entire Great Lakes region. Both the M23 and the Congolese government have vowed to work towards peace by August 18. However, the recent violence raises doubts about the sincerity of these commitments and the feasibility of the U.S.-brokered peace deal.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.
Keyword focus: M23 rebels, DR Congo, attack, UN, Rwanda, FDLR, civilians, President Donald Trump, peace agreement, Washington Deal.
