Doctors Without Borders Reports Alarming Rise in Sexual Violence Cases in Congo Amid Ongoing Conflict

Doctors Without Borders reported treating a record number of sexual violence victims in Congo last year. The majority of these incidents occurred in the eastern region, where armed groups vying for power were blamed for the crimes. In 2023, over 25,000 victims received care from the organisation, marking the highest number ever recorded in Congo.

Conflict and Displacement in Eastern Congo

Most victims were treated in displacement camps near Goma, North Kivu's provincial capital. According to patient accounts, two-thirds faced assaults at gunpoint, stated Christopher Mambula, the group's program manager in Congo. The region has been plagued by violence as over 120 armed groups fight for control over land and resources.

The violence has displaced approximately six million people in eastern Congo. The country accuses neighbouring Rwanda of aggression and war crimes in the area. Alongside US and UN experts, Congo claims Rwanda supports the M23 rebel group militarily. Rwanda denies these allegations but acknowledged having troops in eastern Congo for security reasons.

Human Rights Concerns and Armed Groups

The March 23 Movement, or M23, is a rebel group primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis that split from the Congolese army over a decade ago. They launched a significant offensive in 2012, capturing Goma, which they now threaten again. Human Rights Watch recently reported that both Rwanda and Congo's army have committed abuses against displacement camp residents.

The presence of armed men around these camps contributes to the surge in sexual violence. Doctors Without Borders highlighted that inadequate humanitarian responses and poor living conditions exacerbate the issue. This year alone, the charity treated over 17,000 victims from January to May in North Kivu province.

The ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis continue to impact countless lives in eastern Congo. Efforts to address these challenges remain crucial as violence persists and displacement numbers rise.