DR Congo’s M23 Rebels Expel Thousands of Alleged Rwandan Illegals from Goma

Source: Africa Publicity

Thousands of people believed to be Rwandan nationals have been expelled from the major town of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo by the M23 rebel group.

On Monday, the spokesman of the M23 rebels, Willy Ngoma, presented about 181 people claiming they were Rwandan subjects who allegedly illegally living in Goma.

The individuals, many of whom are women and children, were presented by Ngoma as Rwandan subjects who were allegedly living in Goma illegally.

According to witnesses, the individuals were transported in trucks, and their Congolese documents were burned, with the group claiming the documents were fake. Many of the families are from the Karenga region in North Kivu, which has been under the control of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

The expulsion has sparked concerns about the humanitarian crisis in the region, which has been ravaged by violence and conflict for decades. The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have been accused of committing atrocities in the region, and tensions between the Congo government and Rwanda remain high.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has confirmed that 360 people were repatriated to Rwanda on Saturday. The situation remains volatile, with many questions about the legitimacy of the expulsions and the fate of those affected.

The conflict in eastern Congo has been fueled by the presence of various armed groups, including the M23 and FDLR, and has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis. The region’s mineral wealth has also been a factor in the ongoing violence, with many groups vying for control.