The AFC/M23 armed group has held a collective funeral in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, for 22 victims of a recent drone strike in Masisi, eastern DRC. The ceremony, attended by grieving families, took place at the Unity Stadium in North Kivu’s provincial capital. Mubechi Bwere, who lost his child Amani Bisibuzo in the attack, travelled to Goma to pay his respects.
The drone strike, which occurred earlier this month, has added to the growing humanitarian crisis in the eastern DRC, where civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed violence. The conflict, which has persisted for over three decades, has resulted in forced displacement, trauma, and significant human losses. Bereaved families are now calling for peace, justice, and an end to impunity.
According to medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières, 42 people, including many women and children, were injured by shrapnel during the strike. The AFC/M23 rebellion has attributed the attack to the Congolese army, although the government has neither confirmed nor denied these allegations. The United Nations mission in the DRC has urged for an independent investigation to determine who was responsible for the attack.
The use of drones and attacks targeting civilians has been widely condemned by the international community. The United Nations mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, has denounced the use of drones and any attack that targets or impacts civilians and civilian infrastructure. Jean-Paul Kibinda, a relative of one of the victims, emphasized the need for peace, stating that “war kills the population” and calling on authorities to help bring an end to the conflict.
As the situation in the eastern DRC continues to deteriorate, the international community is urging for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The DRC government and armed groups must work towards a lasting solution to end the suffering of civilians. With the investigation into the drone strike ongoing, it is essential that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. The people of the DRC deserve peace, justice, and protection from harm, and it is the responsibility of all parties involved to ensure that this is achieved.
