DRK. Rebels from the M23 movement took over Goma. UN: over a hundred women were raped and burned alive

Hundreds of prisoners escaped from the Munzenze prison in the city of Goma, located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, last Monday after the fighters from the Rebel Group M23 began to take control of the city. According to UN While escaping from prison in the city, “over 100 prisoners were burned alive,” writes the BBC portal.

According to the internal UN document, which was reached by journalists of the British broadcaster, that “during the escape of male prisoners attacked from 165 to 167 women.” The report stated that “most women died after the prisoners set fire to the prison.” The BBC emphasizes that it failed to verify these reports.

In an interview with “The Guardian” Vivian Van de Perre, the deputy head of the UN Local Peace Forces, also gave information about the death of imprisoned women. – There was a serious escape from prison. About four thousand prisoners ran down – she said. According to her relationship, “prisoners were raped” and then “the female wing was set on fire.”

Both the UN, as well as the BBC and “Guardian” emphasize that due to the takeover of control over Goma by M23, examining the details of the crime is currently impossible. The media, however, publish photos and recordings that show munzenze black smoke coming out of the Munzenze prison building. They were made on January 27.

See also: Fight and chaos in a million city, troops from Rwanda crossed the border

Goma in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo remains under the control of the M23 movement. Streets fights started last Monday. As a result of clashes, a significant part of the inhabitants of a millionth city was forced to escape. Two days ago, members of M23 announced a ceasefire. On Wednesday, however, they started a new offensive and occupied the mining city of Nyabibwe in the province of southern Kiwu. The inhabitants of Goma are trying to keep up with the burial of the victims. Estimates of the United Nations (UN) inform about nearly 3,000 killed. DRK government data also indicates thousands of dead.

The Office of the High UN Commissioner for Human Rights (OHChR) informs that the rebels force civilians into the army by force and subject to their forced labor. M23 members also commit collective executions – informs Ohchr. Sexual violence is used by competing armed groups in Gomie as a form of pressure.

Movement of March 23 (M23), also known as the Congusian Revolutionary Army, was established in 2012, and then initiated a rebellion against DRK authorities. He was supported by the neighboring Rwandabut when the country abandoned support, the M23 was broken by the UN Intervention Brigade and the Congish Army. The group activated again at the end of 2021 and since then took part of the territories north of Goma, at the border with Rwanda.

M23 is one of over a hundred armed groups operating in the eastern part of DRK, where it tries to control numerous mineral mines in this region. The movement is mainly made up of army deserters. DRK government, as well European Union And the UN has been accusing Rwanda for a long time of supporting rebels from M23. President of the country Paul Kagame consistently denies this.

The UN confirms that in Gom, apart from M23 forces, there are troops from Rwanda. A spokesman for the DRK government said that their presence in the Gomie means “a declaration of war”. According to the Military Portal .africa, the president of Rwanda is to seriously consider a possible war with DRK. To confirm this theory, the service indicates Kagame's last visit in Turkey and his presence in a drone producing center located there Bayraktar TB2.

See also: Hundreds of victims in osy, thousands of wounded. Drama in Gom