The Government of Rwanda staunchly denied allegations put forth by a US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, accusing its defense forces of orchestrating an attack on the Mugunga camp. This camp, located in Goma, East Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), shelters internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Responding to these accusations, Rwanda’s government has emphasized that the claims were made without any preliminary investigation and hence are unjustified. An official statement urged for comprehensive investigations to determine the real causes behind these attacks.
The Rwandan authorities have also accused the US government of scapegoating Rwanda to cover up for the shortcomings and wrongdoings of the DRC itself. In this context, Rwanda’s government spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, stated in a post that the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) acted professionally and would never attack an IDP camp. She pointed towards the lawless Forces Democratic pour le Liberation de Rwanda (FDLR) and Wazalendo, supported by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), as potential perpetrators.
Meanwhile, bomb attacks at displacement facilities in Mugunga, Lac Vert, and Lushagala have resulted in severe damage to essential humanitarian structures. Last Friday alone, at least 12 people lost their lives with around 30, including children, bearing severe injuries. The UN responded with condemnation, as UNICEF’s Representative to the DRC, Grant Leaity, reiterated the call for respect towards civilian lives and humanitarian infrastructures.
The spokesperson for the US State Department responded to these incidents with a statement indicting the RDF and the March 23 Movement (M23), suspected of being backed by Rwanda. The statement emphasized the grave displacement resulting from their activities and implored both parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law.
The DRC’s eastern region has been plagued by a surge in violence resulting in the displacement of over 6.1 million people. A 2023 Human Rights Watch report stated that the M23 has been implicated in multiple human rights single and mass violations since late 2022. Amidst these crises, the UN began its exit strategy from the DRC in February this year, starting with the handover of its first operational base to the Congolese government.