United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) have raised concern over the alarming increase in the number of civilians being killed by the M23 since the resumption of hostilities in the eastern region.
Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of the MONUSCO, Bintou Keita reported that at least 150 civilians lost their lives since the resume of intensified fighting last November, including 77 in January 2024.
Speaking when she addressed members of the Security Council via videoconference on Tuesday, Keita indicated that the M23 continues to force displaced people to return to villages in areas under its control, as well as cases of recruitment and use of children as soldiers in the territories of Masisi and Rutshuru.
The rebel movement spread further south, leading to new population movements towards Goma and South Kivu, with a repositioning of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in the east of Sake village.
Faced with the deterioration of the security situation along the RN2 national road linking Sake and Goma, MONUSCO is strengthening its workforce with South African troops from its Intervention Brigade, based in Beni, in the north of the province.
