The M23 rebel group has reported that 874 people were confirmed dead following fighting that led to its takeover of Goma in January this year. The statement was made during a press briefing held on Monday.
According to M23, the group seized control of Goma after pushing out a coalition of forces that included the Congolese national army (FARDC), the FDLR militia, Burundian troops, SADC forces, local Wazalendo fighters, and foreign mercenaries.
Since the capture of the city, human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have accused M23 of committing mass atrocities, with reports alleging that over 3,000 people were killed during the offensive.
However, Delion Kimpulumpu, Secretary General of the AFC coalition, of which M23 is a part, strongly denied these claims. “The figure of 3,000 deaths, as stated by Kinshasa, appears to be an exaggeration,” he told reporters.
M23 leaders said that between February 2 and February 13, a total of 874 bodies were recovered in Goma before being buried. The group’s president, Bertrand Bisimwa, explained that over 90% of the deceased were combatants, including fighters from both AFC/M23 and the government coalition, as well as other armed groups.
The group also distanced itself from a prison escape incident on January 27, when some inmates reportedly set fire to their fellow prisoners at Munzenze prison. M23 said this event occurred before its forces entered the city and should not be attributed to them.
Additionally, M23 accused the Democratic Republic of Congo government of working to destabilize security in Goma, Bukavu, and other areas under rebel control, suggesting that Kinshasa is using propaganda and military pressure to undermine the group’s authority.
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