Members of Fondation Yolande Mukagasana, a Rwandan NGO on Tuesday called on the international community to help stop “acts of genocide” committed against Tutsi communities in eastern DR Congo.
They say the acts of violence against Congolese Tutsi reflect those witnessed in Rwanda before and during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Reports indicate that violence against Congolese Tutsi communities has worsened this year following the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, who are currently fighting the government forces in North Kivu province.
Authorities and military leaders have been reported calling for violence against Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese who are accused of being traitors.
In the meanwhile, reports on the ground have confirmed that the M23 rebels have cut off all major supply routes for Ugandan and Kenyan goods to the city of Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This follows the capture of Rutshuru Town in eastern DRC by the rebels, cutting off the Ishasha border in Kanungu District. The border was the only one still open after the M23 rebels captured Bunagana border town in eastern DRC in June and later took control of the Kitigoma and Busaza borders.
The Luanda summit which took place on 23 November resolved that the M23 rebels, who are fighting the Congolese army in North Kivu province, shall withdraw from the occupied territories.
M23 have refused to stop their offensive, accusing Kinshasa of ethnic cleansing, claims the government has denied.
CU/abj/APA