Mourning and Memorial for Victims of Bomb Attacks in Displacement Camps in Eastern Congo

Goma, North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo - Families and mourners gathered in Goma on Monday evening to honor the victims of recent bomb attacks on two displacement camps in eastern Congo.

The solemn ceremony featured singing and candle lighting, paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragic incidents.

The attacks, which occurred last week at the Mugunga and Lac Vert displacement camps, resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, with another 32 injured, as reported by the United Nations.

The explosives used in the attacks have not been identified, and the majority of the victims were women and children, highlighting the vulnerability of these communities.

Alimeti Kigiho, a survivor of the Mugunga camp attack, recounted the harrowing experience of losing his family. He had been fetching water when the explosions occurred, and upon returning, discovered the lifeless bodies of his wife and two young children.

"War has taken everything from me," Kigiho expressed to the Associated Press, a poignant reminder of the personal tragedies behind the statistics.

The responsibility for the bombings has been a point of contention, with accusations exchanged between the Congolese army and the rebel group M23.

The March 23 Movement, or M23, primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis, separated from the Congolese army twelve years ago and has been a significant force in the ongoing conflict.

Eastern Congo has been embroiled in conflict for decades, resulting in one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Over 100 armed groups are active in the region, fighting over land, control of mineral-rich mines, or attempting to protect their communities.

These groups are frequently implicated in committing mass killings, rapes, and other human rights violations.

The violence has displaced approximately 7 million people, many of whom reside in temporary camps like Mugunga and Lac Vert.

The recent attacks have not only underscored the region's instability but also the dire situation of those displaced by conflict, many of whom remain out of reach of essential aid.

During the memorial, Justine Joza Bushashire mourned the loss of her 19-year-old son, Daudi, who was killed in the bombings. Daudi had been supporting his family by selling phone charging units in the camp.

His death, and the deaths of others, punctuates the ongoing and relentless cycle of violence that plagues eastern Congo, leaving communities in perpetual mourning and hardship.