“M23 Rebels Storm Goma and Cause Thousands of Deaths as Women Inmates Are Raped and Burned Alive”

The devastation in the Congolese city of Goma continues to unfold following a violent attack by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels.

According to reports from the United Nations, the death toll has now reached nearly 3,000, with many women brutally raped and burned alive during a horrific jailbreak at the Munzenze Central Prison.

The situation remains dire, as hundreds of victims’ bodies have been discovered across the city, with more expected in the coming days.

Details of the Atrocities in Goma

During the tragic events, rebels stormed the overcrowded prison, freeing thousands of male inmates, while the women’s section of the facility was set ablaze.

The chaos that followed led to the mass murder of women prisoners, some as young as 28, along with children who were in detention with their mothers.

According to the UN’s Vivian van de Perre, approximately 2,900 bodies have been retrieved from the wreckage.

More than 2,000 were found on the streets of Goma, while another 900 were left in hospital morgues.

The UN fears that the decomposing bodies left behind could trigger disease outbreaks in the already unstable region.

A City in Ruins and Rebels in Control

The deadly violence has left Goma in ruins, with the rebel forces now fully controlling the city.

The Munzenze jail, previously housing over 4,000 inmates, is now a desolate site, having been looted and destroyed by fire.

Guards abandoned their posts, and much of the facility, including the administrative offices, was reduced to rubble.

As the city grapples with the aftermath, international organizations continue to call for urgent action to prevent further bloodshed.

Sexual Violence Used as a Weapon of War

One of the most chilling aspects of this crisis is the reported use of sexual violence as a weapon by the various armed groups fighting for control in the region.

The UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned that women and children have become targets of this horrific tactic.

In light of these atrocities, the M23 rebel group has declared a ceasefire, citing “humanitarian reasons,” but many are skeptical about the sustainability of the truce as tensions remain high.

The International Community Calls for Action

Amidst these violent events, calls for international intervention are growing louder.

Human rights organizations are demanding that Rwanda back down from supporting the rebel forces in the DRC, urging the international community to impose sanctions.

Patrick Muyaya, the communications minister for the DRC, has called for stronger actions to halt Rwanda’s involvement, saying that it is unacceptable and threatening regional peace.

As the crisis in Goma intensifies, the need for global support in bringing an end to the violence and addressing the humanitarian crisis is becoming increasingly urgent.

The world watches as the DRC faces one of its most devastating conflicts in recent years, with lives lost and communities shattered.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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