Crisis in the DRC: ICRC Director General Robert Mardini Calls for Restraint Amid Escalating Conflict

The escalating conflict in the eastern territories of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is causing a dire humanitarian crisis, as spotlighted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The Director General of the ICRC, Robert Mardini, recently highlighted the critical situation during a five-day visit to the DRC, particularly noting the alarming increase in civilians wounded by heavy weapons in North Kivu province.

In his address to the displaced at the Lushangala camp in Goma, Mardini underscored the urgency of the matter, acknowledging that civilians bear the brunt of the confrontation. He called upon all participants in the conflict, including their allies, to adhere strictly to the rules of war, international humanitarian law, and the provisions of the Geneva Convention, emphasizing these as not mere options but binding obligations.

The strain on local healthcare facilities is reaching a breaking point, with hundreds of severely injured, including a significant number of women and children, flooding into these units. The Ndosho hospital, assisted by the ICRC, has seen a steady increase in casualties and is taking steps to further expand its capacity, now hosting 140 beds for the wounded.

The humanitarian crisis has been exacerbated by the influx of refugees into camps such as Lushangala, where conditions are dire, with a lack of essential services like water, food, and sanitation. Julienne Beetsa, a displaced resident from Saké, paints a grim picture of life in the camps, revealing that the interned have been surviving without aid since mid-February.

The continued onslaught of the wounded, particularly children, into Ndosho hospital underscores the gravity of the situation. Mardini warned that a failure to safeguard civilians spells a dark future for the millions of Congolese affected by the conflict.

In response to the recent surge in violence, military leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which has a joint force in the region, held meetings in Goma to devise new strategies to support the Congolese army against M23 rebels.

The eastern DRC has been wracked by conflict for roughly three decades, with local and foreign armed groups perpetuating cycles of violence. The M23, active since late 2021, has been relentless in their advances, capturing large portions of the resource-rich North Kivu province and displacing over a million residents.

The international community watches with concern as the crisis unfolds, The ICRC's call for restraint and adherence to humanitarian principles echoes a collective plea for peace and protection of the innocents caught in the crossfire. The road to stability in the DRC is fraught with challenges, but the voices demanding respect for human rights and humanitarian aid provide some hope in the quest for a resolution to this entrenched conflict.