In the conflict-torn eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), a soldier was lynched by residents who suspected him of being a member of the M23 rebel group. The soldier, identified as Captain Patrick Rutasura Gasore, was killed in the city of Goma on Thursday evening, according to the Congolese army.
While the army has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Gasore’s death and arrested two suspects, reports suggest that residents in Gasore’s neighborhood in Goma attacked him, believing him to be an M23 fighter. The M23, led by Tutsi forces and allegedly supported by Rwanda, has been involved in ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo, capturing territories since late 2021.
The region, plagued by militias and a legacy of past wars, witnessed a resurgence of violence last month when clashes erupted between M23 forces, Congolese soldiers, and pro-state militias. The recent lynching of Captain Gasore underscores the volatility and tension in the area.
Eyewitnesses reported that residents began hurling stones at Captain Gasore, accusing him of being associated with the M23 rebel group. Gasore, a member of the Banyamulenge, a Congolese Tutsi community, later succumbed to the attack.
Gasore’s death has prompted calls for justice from his relatives, highlighting the complex challenges faced by security forces and civilians in a region with a history of conflict. International observers, including Western countries such as the United States and France, have previously accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, allegations that Kigali has consistently denied.