Devastation Looms as Families Reunite with ‘Content Rebel’ Survivors Amidst DR Congo Conflict
Heshima winces in pain as he tries to shift his weight. Sweat beads on his face while he sits on a bed inside a tent at Ndosho Hospital, an overcrowded facility in Goma city’s eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The 13-year-old boy has lost his left leg, which is now a bandaged stump; burn marks streak across his stomach. Both of Heshimas parents have been killed.
Tantine, Heshima’s relative, explains who to blame for their tragedy: the M23 rebels backed by Rwanda and fighting against the Congolese army (FARDC). Currently, M23 controls two significant cities in this mineral-rich area bordering Rwanda. Tantine recalls that it was a Sunday when they were involved in intense combat with FARDC. The bomb dropped then led to the death of six members of her family.
The rebels label themselves as freedom fighters, striving for peace and order in a country perceived by them as being under ineffective leadership from Congolese President Flix Tshisekedi. Primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis, M23 has been expanding since early 2022, seizing considerable territories with assistance from up to 4,000 Rwandan troops. However, UN experts assert that Rwanda exercises “de facto control” over the groupa stance denied by Kigali and its leader Paul Kagame.
The aftermath of M23’s gains can be seen at Ndosho Hospital where Heshima is treated. According to a local journalist, there’s self-censorship among Gomas media due to uncertainty surrounding their new rulers. Doctors struggle with treating an unprecedented number of wounded soldiers and civilians from the January battles when rebels took control of Goma. The death toll in that conflict was estimated at around 3,000 by UN sources.
Four operating rooms are used simultaneously daily, sometimes even night-time operations occur amidst ongoing challenges. Myriam Favier from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which supports Ndosho Hospital, says doctors have been sleeping in their theaters due to overwhelming demand and lack of proper facilities. Medical supplies run out quickly; patients must rely on donations.
In Gomas streets, life reflects a blend of relief for newfound peace along with lingering anxiety about M23’s intentions toward civilians. Many now view the rebels as their neighbors after years of being considered enemies in conflict zones across DRC. However, human rights organizations accuse both M23 and FARDC forces of committing widespread abuses including indiscriminate shelling, gang rapes, and summary executions.
The roots of decades-long conflict go back to 1994’s Rwandan genocide when around 800,000 people (mostly Tutsis) were killed by Hutu extremists. Afterward, many Hutus fled into DRC where some had participated in the genocide. Rwanda claims they remain a threat while critics argue Kigali harbors desires for DR Congos mineral wealthessential resources such as coltan used in laptops and mobile phones.
As M23 orders civilians out of displacement camps like Bulengo, fears rise that this could lead to more suffering and potential regional instability. For those leaving the camp, their journeys home seem uncertain with no guarantee of safety or security. Alphonsine exemplifies these challenges as she embarks on a two-day walk carrying limited belongings.
The future remains murky for millions affected by ongoing conflicts in DRC, where history suggests that wealth from beneath the soil will likely not benefit local populations. The situation underscores broader issues concerning governance, international intervention, and equitable resource distribution in regions scarred by years of turmoil and violence.
