Young as 6 raped by troops in Congo who fled M23

[cratehorus]

Congolese troops fleeing the M23 rebels last November raped at least 97 women and 33 girls, some as young as 6, a U.N. report released Wednesday said.

The U.S. Africa Command trained one of the units involved, Commando Battalion 391, in 2010 to be “a model for future reforms within the Congolese armed forces,”

During their occupation of Goma and Sake, “M23 combatants perpetrated serious violations of human law and gross human rights violations,” Nesirky said, including at least 59 cases of sexual violence.

The mass rapes occurred in November, 2012, after the Congolese army was defeated by the M23 rebels who seized the provincial capital of Goma, in eastern Congo. The national army retreated in disorder.

Commanders lost control of their troops, or were unwilling to impose discipline over their men who regrouped some 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of Goma, in Minova.

A small, dusty town on the shore of lake Kivu, Minova is home to several thousand people. For days, the Congolese army raped, killed and looted in anger

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/afri...story.html

[Minimalist]

For days, the Congolese army raped, killed and looted in anger

How else?

[Violet]

For days, the Congolese army raped, killed and looted in anger

How else?

Well, if it had been me: I'd have done it in manic happiness

Can't have a slaughter without laughter...

[festive1]

Of all the world's clusterfucks... Congo is particularly sad. No one is in the right.

[cratehorus]

Of all the world's clusterfucks... Congo is particularly sad. No one is in the right.

The M23 is only trying to use the mining rights for the people of that country, the congolese amy (the ones who committed these rapes) are working for the Americans, the Chinese, and the British

[festive1]

Of all the world's clusterfucks... Congo is particularly sad. No one is in the right.

The M23 is only trying to use the mining rights for the people of that country, the congolese amy (the ones who committed these rapes) are working for the Americans, the Chinese, and the British

You say this as if M23 hasn't committed any atrocities in their own right. They have: http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/09/11/dr-co...war-crimes
When any group resorts to mass rapes, forced recruitment, or attacks on civilians, they lose all claim to the moral high ground, IMO.
M23 doesn't want the mining rights for the good of the Congolese people, they want them to fund their own agenda. The West and China are backing the government because DRC has the richest, untapped natural resources on the planet, and they want access to those resources. It's the old story of, "Sure they're assholes, but they're OUR assholes." That has played out throughout history. Doesn't justify it or make it right, but here we are, backing dispicable people out of a larger group of equally dispicable people.

[CapnAwesome]

Looking for good guys and bad guys in the Congo just doesn't work. It really doesn't work anywhere. War turns everyone into bad guys.

[cratehorus]

You say this as if M23 hasn't committed any atrocities in their own right. They have: http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/09/11/dr-co...war-crimes
When any group resorts to mass rapes, forced recruitment, or attacks on civilians, they lose all claim to the moral high ground, IMO.
M23 doesn't want the mining rights for the good of the Congolese people, they want them to fund their own agenda. The West and China are backing the government because DRC has the richest, untapped natural resources on the planet, and they want access to those resources. It's the old story of, "Sure they're assholes, but they're OUR assholes." That has played out throughout history. Doesn't justify it or make it right, but here we are, backing dispicable people out of a larger group of equally dispicable people.

well you can say the same thing against america and it's war against the afghans, american troops have committed mass rapes, and murders of innocent civilians.. it just revolves around who you support, it seems the wars amongst the multiple territories in the congo is between the american and western governrments against the rwandan national government, so who do you support............. festive?

[The Grand Nudger]

The only items on the menu are shit and a shit sandwich? I think I'll skip a meal or walk next door to the next restaurant. You're invited Festive, this place is a dive anyway.....

[Jackalope]

The only items on the menu are shit and a shit sandwich? I think I'll skip a meal or walk next door to the next restaurant. You're invited Festive, this place is a dive anyway.....

No doubt, war is a shit sandwich. Any claim to moral high ground is quickly lost after the hostilities begin. Has there been any conflict in history where there weren't atrocities committed by all sides involved? I doubt it. Even worse is when the chain of command turns a blind eye to it all, or even encourages it.