Rwandan army, M23 rebels looted, took hostages, claims Congo electoral body

The Democratic Republic of Congo's electoral body has accused the Rwandan army and M23 rebels of looting polling office facilities in Goma, a city in eastern Congo.

The Independent National Electoral Commission said Thursday that “members of the Rwandan army and their M23 supporters” looted the Provincial Executive Secretariat facilities and warehouses in Goma on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The culprits allegedly took vehicles, motorcycles, and electoral kits from Goma to neighboring Rwanda, according to a commission statement.

The same elements took hostage some or the commission's agents in North Kivu, the statement added.

The commission strongly condemned the actions and demanded the immediate release of its agents. The body also called on national authorities and the international community to address the loss of electoral materials.

Rwanda has yet to respond to the allegations.

The allegations come as M23 claimed control of Goma, North Kivu's capital, during a news conference Thursday.

M23 launched a major offensive last week in Goma, home to around 3 million people.

Kinshasa accused Rwanda of sending troops to support the rebels. Rwanda denied this, but regional leaders have called for an immediate ceasefire, as dozens have died and hundreds have been injured.

Uganda has also been accused of backing the M23 rebels, a claim it rejects.

Reports claimed nearly 100 deaths over the past week, but Anadolu could not independently confirm the exact toll.

Thousands have been displaced, many fleeing to Rwanda, including staff from international organizations like the UN and World Bank.

Rwanda said nine of its citizens died in alleged cross-border fire from Goma. At least 17 peacekeepers have also been killed since last week.