The Congolese military, FARDC is notorious for brutal reprisals against innocent civilians whenever M23 advances militarily. However, the brutal FARDC always brutalizes civilians as a pretext to demonize M23.
On the 4th of May this year, FARDC and its coalition unleashed devastating bombings on the Mugunga IDP camp, claiming the lives of 14 individuals and causing grievous injuries to others. This occurred shortly after M23 declared the capture of both Rubaya and Kalehe.
Most occupants of the Mugunga camp had previously expressed concerns of safety and constant harassment mostly done by Wazalendo militia and their associates. They had even threatened to conduct public demonstrations calling Tshisekedi to let them retreat in areas captured by M23 for there were more security in those areas.
On October 30th, 2022, M23 seized control of the strategic strongholds of Kiwanja and Rutshuru, formerly held by FDLR. The following month, FARDC, in collaboration with FDLR, perpetrated a massacre in Kishishe, resulting in the deaths of 131 individuals in a bloody act of retaliation.
Kiwanja and Rutshuru being initially military bases of FDLR, the blacklisted genocidal outfit, the population there had been subjected to endless acts of terrorism, violence, chaos and exorbitant charges of territorial taxes. When M23 sieged the two provinces, the fleeing FDLR resorted to attack innocent civilians with an intent of scapegoating M23.
On September 1st, 2023, a specialized unit of FARDC stormed a church in Goma, indiscriminately opening fire on civilians, resulting in the deaths of 48 innocent individuals. This occurred just two weeks after M23 made significant territorial gains in the Masisi region, overlooking the city of Goma.
Before the broad daylight killings where the so-called republican guards shot people who had sought refuge in one of the churches in Goma, there had been massive protests by the population denouncing uselessness of Monusco (UN mission attributed to Congo). The population further accused FARDC for being unprofessional and accomplices of violence.
It beats everyone’s understanding why instead of fighting M23 Tshisekedi’s unprofessional forces resort to attacking innocent people and then scapegoat Rwanda, this will not continue for long. Unfortunately, the cowardice of FARDC and their coalition that comprises FDLR, FNDB, SADC, Mai Mai, Wazalendo is of high end and has continued to go unabated.
ellenkampire