The crackdown transpired on Wednesday when Congolese soldiers intervened in a religious sect's planned demonstration against UN peacekeepers in the city of Goma.

Initially, reports indicated that around ten individuals had lost their lives in the confrontation, including a police officer who was brutally attacked by members of the sect.

However, the situation escalated further, as Congolese authorities have now confirmed that the death toll has risen to at least 48 individuals, in addition to the slain police officer.

Shockingly, the crackdown also left 75 people wounded. Soldiers on the scene confiscated numerous bladed weapons and took 168 individuals into custody, including the leader of the religious sect.

Adding to the grim narrative, the Congolese pro-democracy activist group, LUCHA, echoed the toll, stating that the count of protesters killed was "close to 50."

Disturbing footage has surfaced on social media, though yet to be verified, showing Congolese soldiers callously disposing of lifeless bodies, some of which were drenched in blood, into a military vehicle.

The eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been grappling with militia violence for a staggering three decades, stemming from the aftermath of regional conflicts that surged during the 1990s and 2000s.

The UN's peacekeeping mission in this strife-ridden area stands as one of the world's largest and most costly, with an annual budget of approximately $1 billion (equivalent to 915,000,000 euros).

Nonetheless, the United Nations has faced scathing criticism within the central African nation. A significant portion of the population perceives the efforts of the peacekeeping forces as inadequate in preventing conflicts and maintaining stability.

As the nation mourns the tragic loss of life and grapples with the aftermath of the crackdown, questions surrounding the effectiveness and impact of UN peacekeeping efforts linger, underscoring the complex challenges faced in achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. (ILKHA)