Eric Patrick
Thousands of bodies have been reportedly buried in Goma after Rwanda-backed M23 rebels took over the Democratic of Congo city.
Despite the M23’s declaration of a ceasefire, reports indicate that sporadic shooting and looting continued in some areas.
The full extent of the civilian toll is still unfolding, with accounts of people trapped in crossfire, hospitals overwhelmed, and bodies left in the streets.
The M23 group halted its military advance in other areas, most notably around the South Kivu provincial capital of Bukavu, where M23 fighters are stationed a few kilometers from the town.
Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross sub-delegation in Goma, Myriam Favier, said that the land where bodies can be buried in Goma is extremely limited.
The M23 ceasefire comes hours after the East African Community, or EAC, and Southern Africa Regional Community agreed to hold a joint summit to discuss the conflict in Congo, in hopes of bridging the differences between Kinshasa and Rwanda.
Congo accuses Kigali of supporting the M23, a claim denied by Rwanda but verified by U.N. observers.
According to U.N. agencies, 770 bodies have been recovered from the streets of Goma, and 2,880 were injured in the conflict.
The Red Cross said Monday that it will need four more days to collect the bodies due to a lack of morgue space, it said, all bodies will be buried after identification.
The U.N. has accused both the M23 and the Congolese army of recent human rights abuses, including summary executions and rape. They have not responded to requests for comment
In Goma, aid groups have been helping authorities relieve overflowing hospital morgues and bury bodies amid concerns of disease spreading.
