The humanitarian crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has escalated dramatically, with reports of child executions and widespread sexual violence as M23 rebels intensify their attacks.
The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) on Tuesday confirmed that Rwanda-backed M23 fighters killed three children in Bukavu, South Kivu.
OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani revealed that the children were “summarily executed by M23” after the rebels entered Bukavu last week. She urged Rwanda and M23 to uphold international humanitarian law and protect human rights in the conflict-ridden region.
Shamdasani further condemned attacks on hospitals, humanitarian warehouses, and threats against the judiciary, which have been linked to the M23’s military advances in North and South Kivu.
The crisis has triggered mass displacement, with hundreds of thousands forced to flee. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), between 10,000 and 15,000 people have crossed into Burundi within days, adding to the already dire refugee situation. Most of those fleeing are from the outskirts of Bukavu, where the violence is rapidly escalating.
UNHCR spokesperson Matt Saltmarsh reported that over 91,000 Congolese refugees had previously taken shelter in Burundi.
“The situation remains extremely volatile, with recent clashes forcing over 150,000 people to flee,” Saltmarsh said.
The worsening security situation has drawn international condemnation, with growing calls for urgent intervention to prevent further loss of lives and restore stability to the region.