M23 Rebels Abduct 130 Patients in Eastern Congo

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels abducted at least 130 sick and wounded men from two hospitals in Goma, a key city in eastern Congo, the United Nations reported on Monday. On February 28, M23 fighters raided CBCA Ndosho Hospital and Heal Africa Hospital, forcibly removing 116 patients from the former and 15 from the latter. The rebels suspected these individuals of being Congolese army soldiers or members of the pro-government Wazalendo militia. U.N. Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani condemned the abductions, calling them “deeply distressing” and urging the immediate release of the captives. The M23 rebellion has escalated significantly since the beginning of the year, leading to the deaths of approximately 3,000 people. In a rapid three-week offensive, the group seized control of Goma and the nearby city of Bukavu, intensifying the ongoing conflict in the mineral-rich region.
The M23 is reportedly supported by around 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, with U.N. experts suggesting Kigali plays a central role in the group’s operations. At times, the rebels have threatened to march as far as Kinshasa, over 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) away. Rwanda, in turn, accuses Congo of harboring ethnic Hutu fighters responsible for the 1994 genocide against Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The M23 claims its mission is to protect Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan origin from discrimination while striving to modernize Congo, though analysts view these justifications as cover for Rwanda’s deeper involvement in the conflict. Tensions in the region remain high, with recent explosions at an M23 rally in Bukavu killing at least 11 people and injuring many others.

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