The death toll in the bombings of two camps for displaced people in eastern Congo has risen to at least 35, with an additional two people in critical condition.
The bombings occurred at the Mugunga and Lac Vert displacement camps in eastern Congo, and both the Congolese army and the rebel group M23 have blamed each other for the attacks.
M23, short for the March 23 Movement, is an armed group made up mainly of ethnic Tutsis that broke away from the Congolese army 12 years ago. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has accused neighboring Rwanda of destabilizing Congo by backing the M23 rebels, a claim also made by U.N. experts and the U.S. State Department. Rwanda has denied these claims.
The conflict in eastern Congo has produced one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 100 armed groups fighting in the region. Most of these groups are fighting for land and control of mines with valuable minerals, while others are fighting to protect their communities.
Many groups have been accused of carrying out mass killings, rapes, and other human rights violations. The violence has displaced around 7 million people, including thousands living in temporary camps like the ones attacked last week. Unfortunately, many others are beyond the reach of aid.
The situation remains dire, with various armed groups fighting for control of the region.
Read more: Rwanda Denies Responsibility for Deadly Bombing of IDP Camp in DRC
