Bloody conflict in Congo: 7,000 dead since January and new calls for help

Bloody conflict in Congo: 7,000 dead since January and new calls for help

Violence has escalated in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the situation is alarming. According to government figures, at least 7,000 people have been killed in fighting in the east of the country since January 2025. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka described the victims' cries as indescribable and stressed that some 450,000 people were left homeless after 90 refugee camps were destroyed. These terrible developments were by n-tv.de on February 24, 2025, while Tuluka was speaking at the opening of the 58th UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

International reactions and allegations

As mass displacements and executions continue, Tuluka called on the international community to take action and called for “deterrent sanctions.” The violence is strongly linked to the M23 rebel group, which is heavily involved in the conflict and is considered the worst escalation in over a decade. According to the Congolese government, it as well as the UN and Western countries accuse neighboring Rwanda of supporting the M23 with weapons and personnel. Rwanda has firmly rejected these allegations kleinezeitung.at reported.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a stark warning that human rights are being “stifled” around the world, particularly highlighting massive human rights violations in Congo. The alarming situation requires immediate international response to prevent further human loss and the worsening of the conflict.