Tensions between Rwanda and Congo have been high for decades. Multiple invasions of Congo by Rwanda due to unstable government and rebel forces have caused Rwandan peacekeepers to be stationed in the country since 1999. Millions died decades ago, in two massive conflicts known as Africa's World Wars, but fighting has However, it has not been until recently that situations have grown more intense, killing hundreds and displacing thousands. This is due to the M23 rebel group, a Tutsi militia that has taken over multiple towns and cities in Congo. One of the cities in Congo that has fallen victim to devastation is Goma, the capital of the Kivu province of Congo.
A horrible reoccurrence during these times of crisis, and in almost any conflict, is how defenseless people are hurt due to infrastructure collapses and are left weakened by the absence of police and law. When M23 captured Munzenze prison, hundreds of inmates were freed from captivity. However, the most horrific scenes did not come from M23 directly. Instead, it was when male inmates found their way into the female section of the prison. Over 100 women were raped and killed as a result of the jailbreak. Reports also state that a majority of the women were killed after inmates fleeing the prison set fire to the buildings.
But this is just a small portion of what is going on. In Goma alone, there are reports of up to 2,900 deaths, bodies lying in the street as chaos ensues. As fighting continues, the number of tragedies will only rise.
During times like this, with tragedies that go almost unnoticed to a majority of the world, it is important to spread awareness. While it is almost impossible and very dangerous for high school students living in countries outside of Congo (such as myself) to come to places like Goma to aid those affected, there are other things we can do to help. Spreading information and protesting these moments from where we are in the world is just a start.
Sources
Hey August! Great work this is a fascinating topic that I was unaware of. It was very insightful and is a conflict that is largely unaddressed.
Hey August! I've been following this development since the M23 has been making rapid progress throughout the DRC. This is a conflict that is rarely mentioned in the news, yet it's one of the deadliest and has the potential to be catastrophic. This was a good read, and it tells us to be more aware and understanding of the world around us.
Whats up August! Great post, I'm impressed by how you connected what we have learned in class to your own research. Thanks!
Hi August! What a well written and intriguing blog post about Rwanda and Congo. I found what you wrote very insightful, as the conflict is not talked about as much as it should be. Keep up the good work!