Sexual Violence Surge and Humanitarian Crisis in Eastern Congo

In recent weeks, alarming reports have emerged from eastern Congo detailing systematic rapes of children by armed fighters. UNICEF has documented these atrocities, highlighting that the frequency and brutality of these crimes have escalated significantly as rebel groups expand their influence in the region and force government troops to retreat.

The situation on the ground is dire, with reports indicating that both sides of the conflict are likely complicit in these heinous acts. A particularly harrowing account involved a mother who described how her six daughters, including one as young as 12, were repeatedly attacked while they were simply trying to secure food. Health facilities between late January and early February have noted a sharp increase in rape cases—with figures showing a more than fivefold rise compared to the preceding week—and a substantial proportion of those affected were children.

Amid the chaos, the M23 rebels, who have significant backing and are among more than a hundred armed groups battling for control over Congo’s mineral-rich east, have made critical advances, most notably capturing Goma, the region's largest city. Concurrently, international bodies have stepped in; the UN Human Rights Council has established an investigative commission to look into the string of atrocities committed by both rebel factions and elements of the Congolese army.

The crisis is multifaceted, as the rebel offensive has also led to a mass exodus of patients from struggling health facilities and has coincided with outbreaks of deadly diseases including cholera and mpox. Despite these challenges, Congolese authorities, in conjunction with humanitarian organizations, have managed to open a corridor to deliver much-needed vaccines and medical supplies through neighboring countries.