Evidence is emerging of a brutal mass killing in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, as eyewitnesses recount the tragic events surrounding the alleged actions of the M23 rebel group. Amid fears of retaliation, local residents describe incidents of violence and terror since the group assumed control of the city.
Allegations of Massacre in Goma: Witness Accounts Emerge from Rebel-Held Congo
Allegations of Massacre in Goma: Witness Accounts Emerge from Rebel-Held Congo
A BBC investigation highlights chilling eyewitness testimonies surrounding a mass killing attributed to the M23 rebels in Goma, affecting the lives of civilians.
Amidst the chaos of Goma's unrest, tragedy struck on February 22 when the M23 rebels reportedly carried out a mass killing of young men in the Kasika neighborhood, elevating concerns over the group's alleged ruthless governance.
Freddy Mukuza, a 31-year-old rapper and activist known for highlighting societal issues through his music, was among the victims. His final moments were witnessed by a friend who recalls the rebels preventing locals from aiding him even as he lay dying. The incident unfolded shortly after rebel fighters stormed the area in pickup trucks, ultimately leading to the deaths of at least 17 to 22 people, according to local sources.
Mukuza's friend, referred to as Justin, shared the grim details, explaining that the rebels acted with impunity after capturing Goma, where they have been operating without challenge or accountability. M23 has previously been accused of severe human rights violations, including the use of violence against civilians. Although UN and US reports suggest the rebels receive assistance from Rwanda, the latter denies these claims while admitting to the presence of its troops in Congo for self-defense.
In the aftermath of the killings, fear has spread throughout Kasika, with residents now paralyzed by the threat of violence. No independent investigations have been launched, and many locals are too frightened to speak out.
The alleged massacre highlights a deeper instability in the DRC, marked by persistent violence and corruption. Interviews with local residents depict a landscape of terror, where men must return home before dark for fear they could be forcibly recruited by the rebels.
As Goma and surrounding areas fall under the control of the M23, they threaten further advances towards the capital, Kinshasa. Amidst this backdrop of violence and repression, one truth remains: the voices and lives of local civilians continue to be overshadowed as they struggle for survival against overwhelming odds.
Freddy Mukuza, a 31-year-old rapper and activist known for highlighting societal issues through his music, was among the victims. His final moments were witnessed by a friend who recalls the rebels preventing locals from aiding him even as he lay dying. The incident unfolded shortly after rebel fighters stormed the area in pickup trucks, ultimately leading to the deaths of at least 17 to 22 people, according to local sources.
Mukuza's friend, referred to as Justin, shared the grim details, explaining that the rebels acted with impunity after capturing Goma, where they have been operating without challenge or accountability. M23 has previously been accused of severe human rights violations, including the use of violence against civilians. Although UN and US reports suggest the rebels receive assistance from Rwanda, the latter denies these claims while admitting to the presence of its troops in Congo for self-defense.
In the aftermath of the killings, fear has spread throughout Kasika, with residents now paralyzed by the threat of violence. No independent investigations have been launched, and many locals are too frightened to speak out.
The alleged massacre highlights a deeper instability in the DRC, marked by persistent violence and corruption. Interviews with local residents depict a landscape of terror, where men must return home before dark for fear they could be forcibly recruited by the rebels.
As Goma and surrounding areas fall under the control of the M23, they threaten further advances towards the capital, Kinshasa. Amidst this backdrop of violence and repression, one truth remains: the voices and lives of local civilians continue to be overshadowed as they struggle for survival against overwhelming odds.
