Civil society groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have accused Congolese soldiers and members of militia of raping 13 women in the eastern territory of Beni since the beginning of July.
Cases of sexual violence have increased significantly in the eastern part of the country after the resurgence of the M23 rebellion in late 2021.
The latest case was reported on 24 July when a 15-year-old girl was raped by a man wearing the uniform of the Congolese army.
The use of rape as a weapon of war is widespread in conflict-zones in eastern DRC despite efforts by the Congolese army to stop it.
The conflict between government forces and the M23 rebels has seen an alarming increase in cases of sexual violence.
Rights groups have accused both sides of carrying out sexual attacks.
According to figures from Care International, there have been 67 000 cases of sexual assaults in the first four months of 2025 alone.
Many of the victims face stigma and rejection by their family and spouses.
Their situation has been made worse because access to treatment has become difficult due to global cuts in humanitarian funding by the US government.
Local communities in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo say they are now living in fear following the rise in sexual violence against women and girls. – Reporting by Chris Ocamringa
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