NEW YORK: The longstanding conflict in Congo's eastern region has significantly deteriorated since early 2022, reaching a critical point of escalation by October last year. According to Francois Moreillon, the top Red Cross official in the country, the situation has worsened with alarming increases in sexual violence, casualties, and child recruitment.

Describing Congo's crisis as "double-edged," Moreillon highlighted that decades of conflict have severely weakened governmental capacities at all levels, hindering the delivery of essential services such as water, education, and food security. He emphasized that civilian protection remains a pressing issue amid the ongoing turmoil.

Eastern Congo has been plagued by armed violence fueled by over 120 armed groups vying for power, land, and valuable mineral resources. Some groups have been accused of mass atrocities, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Moreillon, speaking at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)'s U.N. office, pointed out that all conflict indicators have surged since October 1, particularly following renewed clashes between Congolese government forces, their allies, and the M23 rebel group.

President Felix Tshisekedi, supported by U.S. and U.N. experts, has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels militarily. Rwanda has denied these allegations but acknowledged deploying troops and missile systems in eastern Congo for defensive purposes earlier this year.

The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Congo has risen sharply from 5.6 million in early 2022 to nearly 7.4 million currently, making it one of the world's most severe displacement crises, according to Moreillon.

He also highlighted a disturbing increase in sexual violence cases, particularly in Goma, where incidents have risen by 90% in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching approximately 15,000 cases. Moreillon recounted harrowing accounts, including instances where women carried condoms during wood-gathering trips to negotiate with rapists to wear them, fearing expulsion from their homes if their husbands discovered the assaults.

Child recruitment by armed groups has also surged by an estimated 80% in some areas, a trend attributed to intensified fighting and the need for new recruits amid high casualty rates. Moreillon noted that children are coerced or persuaded into joining armed factions, often under duress or false promises of respect.

The ICRC has observed a significant rise in civilian casualties requiring medical treatment, with injuries increasingly caused by shrapnel in crowded urban settings. Last year, ICRC-supported hospitals treated 1,050 cases in Goma alone, with a notable increase to 350 cases in February 2024, underscoring the escalating violence and its impact on civilians.

Moreillon concluded that the use of more sophisticated weaponry combined with urban combat has altered the nature of injuries, with civilians bearing the brunt of the casualties.

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