Rwanda and its M23 auxiliaries executed more than 10 people in Goma, DRC, as the group’s violent actions escalate. The M23 rebels, controlling Goma since January, have instilled fear with crimes while the UN condemns Rwanda’s alleged support for the group.

A spokesperson of the government in the Democratic Republic of Congo said “Rwanda and its M23 auxiliaries” on Saturday executed more than 10 people in Goma, the provincial capital of the eastern province of North Kivu.

“The string of heinous crimes committed by the Rwanda, its hordes and its puppets grows longer every day,” Patrick Muyaya said on X early Sunday.

He stated that the people of Goma, which the M23 rebels seized in January, live under “constant terror” due to crimes such as looting, vandalism, sexual violence, summary executions as well as abduction and forced recruitment of children.

Last week, UNICEF warned that Congolese children were facing an "unprecedented catastrophe," enduring summary executions, sexual violence, recruitment, and abduction.

The UN has condemned the ongoing M23 offensive, urging Rwanda to cease its alleged support to the rebel group.

Earlier, the US imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s State Minister for Regional Integration James Kabarebe, and an M23 spokesperson for their alleged roles in escalating the conflict.

The M23, one of many armed groups active in eastern DRC and that resurfaced in late 2021, captured the city of Bukavu last week after taking Goma in January. At least 3,000 people, including peacekeepers, were killed, and thousands displaced in the Goma fighting.

They are now reportedly advancing towards the city of Uvira, less than 30 km from Bujumbura, Burundi’s economic capital.

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