Muthomi Ireri
The United States announced late Wednesday that a humanitarian truce in eastern Congo, which had reduced fighting despite ongoing violence and human rights abuses, would be extended. This extension, initially set to end on Friday, will now last an additional 15 days until August 3, according to a U.S. State Department statement urging all parties to respect the ceasefire, which had been violated since its inception on July 5.
In eastern Congo’s North Kivu province, the conflict has led to arbitrary killings, arrests, and sexual abuses, particularly affecting women and children. Carine Kaneza Nantulya from Human Rights Watch highlighted that women and girls face violence not only in war zones but also when they leave camps in search of water or food.
The conflict, ongoing for decades, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 100 armed groups vying for control of the mineral-rich region near Rwanda’s border. The M23 group, allegedly supported by Rwanda, is a significant player in this conflict. These rebels and other groups are accused of mass killings and have displaced at least 7 million people, many of whom are out of aid groups’ reach.
Recent violence has forced fleeing civilians to contend with artillery fire and drone strikes, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Aid groups have also reported insufficient resources to support those within their reach.
Dj Vnyash
Silverio Omari
