M23 rebels killed at least 140 civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last month, according to a damning report from Human Rights Watch (HRW). This shocking act represents one of the most severe human rights violations perpetrated by the militant group since it re-emerged in late 2021, continuing a cycle of violence that undermines recent peace initiatives.
The tragic events unfolded in the Rutshuru area, close to the Virunga National Park, a region rich in minerals but marred by continuous conflict. The advocacy group detailed accounts from witnesses who described how the Rwanda-backed rebels "summarily executed" numerous local residents, including women and children predominantly from the Hutu ethnic group.
Despite the ongoing peace process mediated by both the United States and Qatar, M23 rebels have vehemently denied involvement in the killings and labeled such accusations a "blatant misrepresentation of the facts." They did not respond to HRW's request for further comments regarding the report.
According to HRW, the reported massacre occurred as part of an M23 offensive targeting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group associated with those responsible for the horrific 1994 genocide in Rwanda. HRW estimates that the total number of killings during July alone may surpass 300, a claim echoed by earlier findings from the United Nations.
The fighting in the region intensified earlier this year, with the M23 capturing significant territory in the mineral-rich east, including the key city of Goma. The conflict has led to a staggering number of casualties and displacement, with thousands killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes.
The atrocities reportedly took place between July 10 and July 30, during which M23 fighters used firearms and machetes to attack residents in at least 14 villages. Witness accounts describe harrowing scenes, with one survivor recounting the execution of his family members, while another detailed how approximately 70 women and children were rounded up and shot at riverbanks.
Local testimonies indicated that M23 forces directed civilians to bury the dead hastily or leave bodies unburied, further compounding the trauma experienced by the victims' families. The report suggests that members of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) were complicit in supporting these operations, a claim yet to be officially addressed by Rwanda amidst its vehement denials of military backing for the M23.
Efforts for peace have faced obstacles, highlighted by the recent collapse of negotiations involving the M23 and the Congolese government. Despite signing a ceasefire agreement in Qatar, the M23 has since retreated from peace talks, alleging that Kinshasa failed to uphold prior commitments.
Human Rights Watch has called upon the UN Security Council, the European Union, and the international community to categorically condemn these horrific abuses, impose sanctions against those accountable, and advocate for the arrest and prosecution of military leaders involved in the conflict. The situation in eastern Congo continues to be dire as peace initiatives falter and violence escalates.
