Atleast 14 people were killed and 35 injured in an unprecedented attack on a displaced peoples camp at Mugunga in Goma, DRC.
The Congolese government has blamed the attack on M23 rebels although the fighters have not confirmed any involvement.
Representatives of foreign missions in DRC have collectively condemned the attack on Mugunga camp on Friday May 3.
In a press release released this Sunday, May 5, the delegation of the European Union and the embassies of its member states strongly condemn these bombings, as well as the recent advances on the ground by the M23 rebels.
“We express our solidarity with the victims and their families and denounce the escalation of indiscriminate violence against civilians in North Kivu. We also condemn the increasingly regular use of heavy artillery near displaced people’s sites, which has tragic consequences for the population, trapped in this crossfire,” reads the European Union press release.
The delegation of the European Union and the embassies of its Member States encourage the government of the DRC to bring to justice the perpetrators of these acts and call on the various parties to respect human rights and adhere to the obligations applicable under of international humanitarian law.
“We show our support to the Congolese authorities to bring to justice the perpetrators of the attack which is a violation of human rights and international humanitarian law and could constitute a war crime. We recall the urgent need for immediate cessation of hostilities, and safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian personnel to areas where vulnerable populations are located,” the statement added.
Major General Peter Chirimwami, the interim military governor of North Kivu told media that the campa was bombed during fighting between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebels.
The toll from this Friday’s explosions could rise given their consequences. All the injured are taken care of. Meanwhile, the FARDC and the M23 blame each other for these fatal shots.