Doctors Without Borders has reported treating more than 25,000 victims of sexual violence in the Congo last year, marking a significant increase in cases, particularly in the eastern region where armed groups are engaged in power struggles. The aid group revealed that the majority of victims, averaging more than two per hour, sought treatment in displacement camps near Goma, the capital of Congo's North Kivu province.
According to the group's program manager in Congo, Christopher Mambula, two-thirds of the victims reported being assaulted at gunpoint, highlighting the extreme violence prevalent in the region. Eastern Congo has been plagued by armed conflict, with over 120 armed groups competing for control over land and valuable mineral resources, leading to widespread displacement of around 6 million people.
The Congolese government has accused neighboring Rwanda of involvement in aggression and war crimes in the region, alleging military support to rebel groups like M23. Rwanda has denied these claims but admitted to having troops in eastern Congo for security reasons. The M23 rebel group, composed mainly of ethnic Tutsis, has been a significant player in the conflict, staging offensives and capturing key territories.
Recent reports from Human Rights Watch have also implicated both Rwanda and Congo's army in human rights abuses, including killings, rapes, and hindering aid efforts. Doctors Without Borders emphasized that the surge in sexual violence is exacerbated by the presence of armed individuals in displacement sites and the dire living conditions faced by the residents.
The charity has continued to witness high numbers of sexual assault cases this year, treating over 17,000 victims in the North Kivu province alone between January and May. The situation remains critical, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive humanitarian intervention and efforts to address the root causes of violence in the region.
