The conflict in eastern Congo, a region abundant in minerals yet plagued by decades of turmoil, has worsened since early 2022.
Since last October, the violence and humanitarian crisis have escalated to unprecedented levels.
This grim assessment comes from François Moreillon, the top Red Cross official in the country, who highlighted alarming increases in sexual violence, casualties, and child recruitment.
Moreillon described Congo’s situation as a “double-edged crisis,” noting that 30 years of conflict have severely weakened the government’s ability to provide essential services like water, education, and food, particularly at the local level.
The capacity to protect civilians has also been critically compromised. “The crisis is extremely acute,” Moreillon emphasized, pointing to the overwhelming challenges faced by the Congolese people.
Eastern Congo’s landscape is marked by relentless armed violence, with over 120 groups vying for control over territory, power, and valuable mineral resources.
Some of these groups have been implicated in mass killings, further exacerbating the region’s instability.
Since October 1, the conflict has intensified dramatically, with renewed clashes between Congolese government forces, their allies, and the M23 rebel group. Moreillon stated that “all indicators are going through the roof,” reflecting the severe escalation in violence.
Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi, along with US and UN experts, has accused neighboring Rwanda of providing military support to M23.
While Rwanda denies these allegations, it acknowledged in February that it has deployed troops and missile systems in eastern Congo, citing security concerns due to a buildup of Congolese forces near the border.
Abuse And Violence On The Rise
The humanitarian toll is staggering. Moreillon reported that the number of displaced Congolese has surged from 5.6 million in early 2022 to nearly 7.4 million, making it one of the world’s most severe displacement crises.
Sexual violence has also spiked alarmingly. In Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, incidents of sexual violence in the first half of 2024 have risen by 90% compared to 2023, with cases increasing from 7,500 last year to around 15,000 this year.
Moreillon recounted the harrowing story of a woman who had been raped twice, explaining that women now carry condoms when fetching wood to try and mitigate the health and social consequences of being raped.
This measure, though desperate, aims to prevent pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and potential ostracization by their husbands.
Sexual violence in Congo, Moreillon noted, serves not only as a weapon of war but also reflects the pervasive impunity and lawlessness that have taken root after decades of conflict.
“Anyone with a gun feels he can do whatever he wants,” he said, highlighting the dire need for accountability.
Child recruitment has also surged, with estimates suggesting an 80% increase in some areas. Moreillon warned that this might just be the “tip of the iceberg.”
The intensified fighting has led armed groups to seek recruits to replace fallen combatants, often targeting children who can be easily coerced or manipulated.
Children who join these groups often do so under the misguided belief that they will gain respect, while families that resist face severe penalties.
The surge in violence has overwhelmed medical facilities. The ICRC supports three hospitals in eastern Congo, including one in Goma, where the number of surgical teams had to be increased from two to three to cope with the influx of wounded.
In Goma alone, the hospital treated 1,050 cases last year. By February this year, the number had already reached 350, a third of the previous year’s caseload in just one month.
The deteriorating situation in Congo calls for urgent international attention and intervention.
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