Surge in Mob Attacks in Bukavu Amidst Escalating Violence in Congo
Recent mob violence in Bukavu, DRC, claimed at least 11 lives as vigilante justice escalates following the army’s withdrawal. The M23 rebels are seeking to establish authority, retraining local police while residents take justice into their own hands due to law enforcement’s absence. Human rights activists call for restored safety measures to mitigate the growing unrest.
Recent violence in Bukavu, a city in the rebel-held eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has resulted in the deaths of at least 11 individuals within a span of two days. Eyewitnesses and a civil society activist reported that the rise in vigilante justice has surged following the withdrawal of government forces from the area. The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, are attempting to assert control and establish a new administrative order in the region.
As part of their efforts, the M23 has retrained a contingent of local police officers to operate under their jurisdiction. However, the absence of an active police presence has prompted residents to take justice into their own hands. Human rights activist Amos Bisimwa highlighted the lack of police intervention in instances of mob violence, stating, “We want to see this police force return to Bukavu so that it can continue to maintain public order.”
The fatalities resulted from accusations of crimes such as theft, armed robbery, and witchcraft, with the bodies of the victims sometimes displayed in public areas. Moke Mwayuma, whose brother was murdered on theft accusations, expressed despair over the lack of justice, affirming his brother’s innocence. “He is not a thief. What is his crime?” she lamented.
Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge, the M23-appointed vice governor of South Kivu province, acknowledged the increase in vigilante attacks, attributing these actions to a community feeling threatened by criminal activity, which includes theft and sexual violence. The M23 incursion into central Bukavu marks a serious escalation in the ongoing conflict stemming from Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the competition for Congo’s rich mineral resources.
Rwanda has denied claims from the Congolese government, the United Nations, and Western nations regarding its military support for M23, asserting instead that it acts in defense against threats posed by Hutu militias allied with the Congolese military.
The situation in Bukavu illustrates a troubling cycle of violence fueled by the absence of effective law enforcement and the rise of vigilante justice. The M23 rebels continue their attempts to establish order amid a backdrop of long-standing conflict, while allegations of Rwandan involvement complicate the broader geopolitical context. Urgent action is needed to restore public safety and address the root causes of the insurrection.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
