The UN described it as one of the most horrific attacks in a new wave of violence by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed extremist rebel group.
Four wards housing patients were burned during the assault in Byambwe, an isolated community about 60 kilometers west of Lubero in the restive North Kivu province that has been gripped by fighting between a plethora of armed groups and national security forces for years.
Coordinated murders
The Byambwe killings were part of a series of coordinated attacks carried out between November 13 and 19 in several localities in Lubero territory.
According to information collected on the ground by United Nations human rights staff from MONUSCO peacekeeping mission, a total of 89 civilians were killed, including at least 20 women and an unknown number of children.
Other areas affected by violence include Mabiango, Tunarudi, Sambalysa, Thucha and Butsili, where abuses range from kidnappings and looting of medical supplies to burning of houses and destruction of property.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said during Friday’s briefing in New York that “As we dug deeper and sent people out there, the information we received was truly horrific..”
The UN offered its condolences to the affected families and communities, stressing that attacks against civilians, particularly against medical facilities, can constitute war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Solidarity with the victims
“We express our solidarity with all those affected,” Mr Dujarric said. “Violence against civilians, including targeting of medical facilities, may constitute war crimes.”
MONUSCO said it remains fully committed to help the Congolese authorities protect civilians, prevent further human rights violations and fight impunity.
The stabilization mission urged national authorities to quickly open independent and credible investigations to identify those responsible for the massacres and bring them to justice.
He also renewed his call on armed groups operating in the region to lay down their arms unconditionally.
Mr. Dujarric said that “too often,” massacres like those reported in Lubero “occur far from the eyes of journalists, far from the eyes of the international community.”
He appealed regional powers to cooperate and armed groups to disarm, “so that those responsible for these crimes which go beyond words” [can] be brought to justice.”
Who are the ADF?
The Allied Democratic Forces are an armed group of Ugandan origin that has operated in eastern DRC for decades.
Known for its brutal attacks on civilians, the ADF has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and is considered one of the deadliest non-state armed organizations in the region.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
