The United Nations human rights chief has expressed deep concern over the escalating crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning that the violence could spread beyond the country’s borders if urgent action is not taken.
Addressing an emergency session of the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, Volker Turk urged all influential parties to intervene and prevent further deterioration of the situation. “If nothing is done, the worst may be yet to come, for the people of the eastern DRC, but also beyond the country’s borders,” he said.
The DRC government convened the meeting, calling for an urgent investigation into alleged human rights violations committed by the M23 rebels, who they claim are backed by Rwanda. Congo’s Minister of Communication, Patrick Muyaya, called for international pressure to force Rwanda to cease supporting the rebels and withdraw from Congolese territory.
Rwanda, however, denied involvement and warned of a potential attack from its neighbor. Rwanda’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, James Ngango, rejected the DRC’s allegations, stating, “We categorically oppose the DRC’s attempts to portray Rwanda as being responsible for its instability.” Ngango further alleged that new intelligence suggested a large-scale attack against Rwanda was imminent, citing stockpiles of weapons near Goma’s airport.
The renewed tensions come after the M23 rebels seized the city of Goma and continued advancing, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
