Orla Guerin reporting for BBC News from Goma shared the tragic story of rapper Freddy Mukuza, a married father of two who was killed while moving house. His final moments were witnessed by a friend, who was helpless to intervene as M23 rebels shot Freddy. Despite efforts to save him, the rebels prevented his rescue until he took his last breath. The M23, accused of carrying out a mass killing in Kasika, where Freddy lived, did not respond to the allegations. With little hope of an independent investigation, locals fear the unchecked power of the M23 in Goma. Freddy, known for his activism and music, rapped about the struggles in his country, the DR Congo, plagued by corruption and conflict. His friend Justin, who witnessed the tragedy, now lives in constant fear of the rebels and struggles to provide for his family. He speaks out to ensure Freddy’s memory lives on and to shed light on the harsh reality of life under the M23. It is unclear if any of the deceased individuals were soldiers. None of them were wearing uniforms and there were no weapons in sight. In the background, screams and shouts can be heard as a woman repeatedly mentions that there are 10 attackers while moving from one body to another. She expresses fear by saying, “They are going to finish us all,” and mourns the loss of young lives, identifying one as Junior, a house builder. The footage captured in Kasika has been confirmed to be authentic by sources who visited the site after the bodies were removed. The victims included a young boy aged 13-14 who was taken away by force, and a young woman selling milk on the streets. Another victim was a street vendor in his twenties, pleading with the rebels that he was not a soldier before being shot. The violence in the region has instilled fear and silence among residents, with many living in terror following the capture of Goma by the M23 rebels. Reports of civilian killings and other atrocities committed by the armed group have been documented by human rights organizations. The rebels claim to be revolutionaries fighting against a failed state, while critics accuse them of widespread abuses including shelling of civilian areas, sexual violence, and summary executions. In a BBC interview, rebel leader Corneille Nangaa was asked to respond to these allegations. Orla Guerin Dia memimpin koalisi partai politik dan milisi – yang disebut Aliansi Sungai Kongo – yang termasuk M23.
“Saya tidak melihat laporan-laporan itu,” katanya. “Saya tidak bisa merespons laporan yang tidak saya baca”. Dia juga mengatakan bahwa dia tidak khawatir dengan tuduhan-tuduhan itu.
Ditekan mengapa dia tidak membaca laporan-laporan tersebut, dia berkata: “Berikan saya satu, saya akan membacanya.”
Nangaa, mantan kepala komisi pemilihan DR Congo, berganti-ganti antara seragam tempur dan setelan jas.
Dia dipresentasikan sebagai wajah para pemberontak yang tidak bersenjata dan tidak mengancam, tetapi pemerintah Kongo menawarkan hadiah $5 juta (£4 juta) untuk informasi yang mengarah pada penangkapannya.
Pemberontak tidak sendirian dalam memiliki sejarah kekejaman. Hal yang sama berlaku untuk tentara Kongo, dan juga banyak kelompok bersenjata lainnya di timur DR Congo.
Tapi M23 sekarang adalah satu-satunya otoritas di beberapa bagian timur, dan jutaan orang Kongo berada di bawah kekuasaan mereka.
Saat kami berbicara dengan seorang warga Kasika, istrinya memanggilnya, memintanya datang cepat untuk mengambil putranya yang berusia delapan tahun dari sekolah.
Panik menyebar karena laporan bahwa M23 sedang mengambil anak-anak dari ruang kelas mereka.
Dia membawa anaknya pulang dengan selamat tetapi takut akan masa depan.
“Kami semua trauma. Mereka bilang mereka datang untuk membebaskan kami,” katanya. “Tapi sekarang seperti mereka menyandera kami.”
Pelaporan tambahan dari Wietske Burema BBC.
Lebih lanjut tentang konflik di DR Congo: Getty Images/BBC”