Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have abducted at least 130 sick and wounded patients from two hospitals in Goma, a key city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to the United Nations.
On February 28, the rebels stormed CBCA Ndosho Hospital and Heal Africa Hospital, forcibly removing 116 patients from CBCA and 15 from Heal Africa.
The abductees were suspected of being Congolese army soldiers or members of the pro-government Wazalendo militia.
UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani condemned the actions, stating, “It is deeply distressing that M23 is snatching patients from hospital beds in coordinated raids and holding them incommunicado in undisclosed locations.” The UN has called for their immediate release.
Escalation of Conflict
The abductions are part of a larger offensive by the M23 rebels, who have rapidly advanced through eastern DRC since late last year. In January, they seized control of Goma, followed by Bukavu, the country’s second-largest city.
This marks the most significant escalation of violence in over a decade, with approximately 3,000 people killed since the start of the year.
The region is rich in gold and coltan, a mineral critical for manufacturing electronic devices like laptops and smartphones.
This has made it a focal point for conflict as armed groups vie for control over its resources.
Rwanda’s Role and Rebel Justifications
The M23 rebels are reportedly supported by around 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, according to UN experts.
Rwanda denies these allegations, claiming instead that it is defending itself against ethnic Hutu-led militias operating in the DRC who were involved in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.
The M23 claims its mission is to protect Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan origin from discrimination while aiming to transform the DRC into a stable state.
However, analysts have dismissed these justifications as pretexts for Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The ongoing violence has displaced nearly half a million people after 90 displacement camps were destroyed.
Thousands more remain trapped in conflict zones without access to basic necessities. Efforts by international bodies, including sanctions and peace negotiations, have so far failed to halt the rebel advance.
Last week, at least 11 people were killed and dozens injured when explosions hit an M23-organized rally in Bukavu.
With no resolution in sight, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen as violence escalates across eastern DRC.
