Industry Minister Julien Paluku accuses the rebel group M23 of being responsible for the massacre in the city of Kishishe – which they deny. In the meantime, the United States has intervened in the conflict.
The human rights organization Amnesty International and the United Nations (UN) report on a massacre of civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to the government, the number of civilians killed in an attack in Kishishe in the east of the republic has now risen to 272. 50 had previously been reported. The perpetrators are said to be the M23 rebel group, which, despite a recently declared ceasefire, continues to attack other armed groups and the army. The Congolese army and the M23, a militia led by the Tutsi group, have been fighting in the east of the country for months.
The clashes culminate in the bloodshed just before a visit by Pope Francis. The head of the Catholic Church is traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan early next year.
Fighting continues despite the ceasefire
Congolese Industry Minister Julien Paluku on Monday accused the M23 rebel group of being responsible for the massacre – which they deny. The government also said the M23 had been supported by members of the Rwandan army. Rwanda has always denied such allegations. The heads of state and government of Congo and Rwanda have met repeatedly to defuse the situation. They had recently agreed on a ceasefire. However, the fighting continued.
The United States has also intervened in the conflict. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had a “productive conversation” with Rwandan President Paul Kagame on the need for peace and security in eastern Congo. Meanwhile, Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta said there were still differences of opinion. The fighting in the Republic of Congo is also increasingly worrying the neighboring countries in Central and East Africa.
M23 militias have launched several offensives in eastern Congo this year, making significant military advances for the first time since 2012. Fighting with the Congolese army has driven thousands of people from their homes since March.