Harvard scholar Bojana Coulibaly investigated the October 2023 massacre in Nturo, DR Congo, where the FDLR militia demolished around 300 Tutsi homes. The attack was purportedly aided by Burundian EACRF soldiers. As M23 withdrew, security drastically declined for Tutsi residents, exacerbating their persecution. Currently, M23 reaffirms its stand against genocide ideology as the conflict evolves with the establishment of the Coalition Alliance fleuve Congo.
Harvard scholar Bojana Coulibaly, along with a research partner, conducted an investigation into the October 2023 massacre in the Congolese village of Nturo, located about 80 kilometers northwest of Goma. This inquiry forms part of a broader examination of genocide ideology in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The assault resulted in the destruction of around 300 Tutsi homes by the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR), a militia rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.
During the investigation, Coulibaly found that the village, once home to approximately 800 families, had been systematically targeted over a three-day period starting October 2, 2023. The FDLR carried out the attacks in conjunction with groups like Nyatura and Wazalendo, exploiting a power vacuum created by the withdrawal of M23 rebels from the region. This shift allowed for intensified assaults on local Tutsi populations who were already facing economic exploitation through forced taxation.
The joint actions of FDLR and militia groups were enabled by the presence of Burundian forces from the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF), which had been deployed in late 2022 to stabilize the region. Despite their mandate to protect civilians, the EACRF troops allegedly stood by as FDLR assaulted and looted Nturo. Coulibaly noted, “The complicity of the Burundian EAC forces with FDLR may be explained by their endorsement of anti-Tutsi genocide ideology.”
The harrowing situation in Nturo reflects a long history of persecution faced by the local Tutsi community, exacerbated by government policies perceived as divisive. As violence led to mass displacement, many residents sought refuge in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. Subsequently, residents returned to find their village devastated and under threat of further military action from the Congolese army (FARDC).
Following the withdrawal of M23, security for Tutsi residents diminished, demonstrating the complex dynamics of power and violence in the region. Coulibaly observed that while M23 provided a semblance of security, its absence prompted questions regarding the efficacy of current governance frameworks. She stated, “This particular element seems to legitimize the existence of M23.”
Amidst ongoing conflict, M23 has united with other rebel factions to form the Alliance fleuve Congo (AFC), aiming to address human rights and governance issues within DR Congo. Recent military actions have underscored a deteriorating security situation, with a surge in violence particularly noted in South Kivu as various factions vie for power. The conflict continues to be marked by accusations of ethnic cleansing and systemic persecution as the quest for peace remains fraught with challenges.
The investigation led by Bojana Coulibaly underscores the dire state of security and the ongoing persecution of Tutsi populations within DR Congo, particularly visible in the Nturo village massacre. The findings highlight complicity among regional forces and militias that perpetuate a cycle of violence stemming from anti-Tutsi ideology. As M23 re-emerges as a possible stabilizing force, critical examination of governance and military strategies remains essential for ensuring the rights and safety of affected communities. The call for international attention and intervention remains pertinent in addressing these grave human rights violations in the region.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
