Raising alarm over widespread, systematic sexual violence in the southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN has said that armed groups were carrying out mass rape in the African nation. UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, said that people who were displaced in the DR Congo's Tanganyika Province had revealed horrific testimonies of the 'mass rape' carried out by the armed groups. The attacks are reportedly being carried out by rival armed groups competing to maintain control over mining areas -- especially gold mines -- and as retaliation against government-led military operations," said Mantoo. Forcibly displaced persons have accused armed groups of carrying out mass rape as women attempt to flee their homes," added Mantoo. According to Mantoo, armed groups had kidnapped women and girls in order to use them as sex slaves and ransoms have been demanded from families to set them free.

Source: dna August 15, 2021 04:41 UTC