272 civilians killed in rebel attack in Democratic Republic of the Congo

KDC Industry Minister and former North Kivu Governor Julien Paluku made statements about the attack carried out by members of the rebel group called the March 23 Movement (M23) on the night of December 2 in the city of Kishishe, in the Rutshuru region, in the North Kivu province.

Assessing the attack as a massacre, Paluku reported that 272 civilians, 17 of whom were children, lost their lives.

Paluku stated that the Minister of Justice regarding the incident went to The Hague to request an investigation by the International Criminal Court.

Violent clashes between members of the M23 and the security forces have been taking place in the east of the country since November 2021.

The KDC government claims that Rwanda supported the M23, which is feared to capture Goma, the capital of North Kivu state.

Although Rwanda denies the accusations, political and diplomatic tensions continue between the two countries.

According to United Nations reports, rebels from border regions smuggle some precious metals mined at KDC borders to neighboring countries. (AA)