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At least 140 civilians were killed last month by M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking one of the worst incidents attributed to the group since it resumed its attacks in late 2021, according to a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). This backslide into violence occurs despite ongoing peace negotiations facilitated by the United States and Qatar aimed at halting the conflict in the mineral-rich eastern regions.
Eyewitness accounts provided to HRW describe how these Rwanda-backed rebels executed local residents, including women and children mainly from the Hutu ethnic group, in the Rutshuru area, close to Virunga National Park. M23 has previously rejected allegations of perpetrating violence, labeling them a "blatant misrepresentation of the facts." They did not respond to HRW's request for comment regarding the recent report.
The alleged massacre reportedly coincided with an M23 operation targeting the armed Hutu group, FDLR, formed by those who participated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. HRW's report notes that total fatalities in the region during July may exceed 300, corroborating recent findings from the UN.
Clashes flared between the DRC's military and the M23 rebels in January, leading to the latter's capture of significant areas in the east, such as the capital Goma. The UN has documented thousands of civilian deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands amid ongoing conflict.
In its freshly released report, HRW detailed incidents that unfolded between July 10 and July 30, where M23 militants reportedly attacked at least 14 villages, utilizing machetes and gunfire. Witnesses recounted terrifying scenes of violence perpetrated by heavily armed M23 fighters, who isolated the areas, effectively blocking escape routes for potential victims.
Accounts of specific atrocities include a man who lost several family members during the attacks and a woman who witnessed the brutal killing of her husband. Disturbingly, the M23 fighters demanded that locals bury the dead immediately or leave the bodies unburied, obstructing proper funerals.
HRW's report draws on 25 eyewitness testimonies, alongside those from medical personnel and UN officials, indicating that members of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) backed these assaults.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights earlier reported the RDF's involvement in the M23's operations, affirming that at least 319 individuals were killed across Rutshuru during a similar timeframe in July. While Kigali has denied aiding M23 and dismissed the UN's accusations as "gratuitous," it maintains that it perceives the eastern DRC as a security threat.
Although there have been international peace efforts, including an agreement requiring DRC to deal with the FDLR, and a ceasefire deal signed last month between M23 and the DRC government, the situation remains precarious. Recently, M23 withdrew from ongoing peace talks, citing DRC’s failure to uphold commitments in the arrangement, although they have indicated a willingness to send a team to negotiate the terms of a ceasefire.
In light of these grave violations, HRW has urged the international community—including the UN Security Council and European Union—to condemn the abuses in eastern DRC and enforce sanctions against those responsible along with calls for accountability for military commanders involved in the conflict.
At least 140 civilians were killed last month by M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking one of the worst incidents attributed to the group since it resumed its attacks in late 2021, according to a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). This backslide into violence occurs despite ongoing peace negotiations facilitated by the United States and Qatar aimed at halting the conflict in the mineral-rich eastern regions.
Eyewitness accounts provided to HRW describe how these Rwanda-backed rebels executed local residents, including women and children mainly from the Hutu ethnic group, in the Rutshuru area, close to Virunga National Park. M23 has previously rejected allegations of perpetrating violence, labeling them a "blatant misrepresentation of the facts." They did not respond to HRW's request for comment regarding the recent report.
The alleged massacre reportedly coincided with an M23 operation targeting the armed Hutu group, FDLR, formed by those who participated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. HRW's report notes that total fatalities in the region during July may exceed 300, corroborating recent findings from the UN.
Clashes flared between the DRC's military and the M23 rebels in January, leading to the latter's capture of significant areas in the east, such as the capital Goma. The UN has documented thousands of civilian deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands amid ongoing conflict.
In its freshly released report, HRW detailed incidents that unfolded between July 10 and July 30, where M23 militants reportedly attacked at least 14 villages, utilizing machetes and gunfire. Witnesses recounted terrifying scenes of violence perpetrated by heavily armed M23 fighters, who isolated the areas, effectively blocking escape routes for potential victims.
Accounts of specific atrocities include a man who lost several family members during the attacks and a woman who witnessed the brutal killing of her husband. Disturbingly, the M23 fighters demanded that locals bury the dead immediately or leave the bodies unburied, obstructing proper funerals.
HRW's report draws on 25 eyewitness testimonies, alongside those from medical personnel and UN officials, indicating that members of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) backed these assaults.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights earlier reported the RDF's involvement in the M23's operations, affirming that at least 319 individuals were killed across Rutshuru during a similar timeframe in July. While Kigali has denied aiding M23 and dismissed the UN's accusations as "gratuitous," it maintains that it perceives the eastern DRC as a security threat.
Although there have been international peace efforts, including an agreement requiring DRC to deal with the FDLR, and a ceasefire deal signed last month between M23 and the DRC government, the situation remains precarious. Recently, M23 withdrew from ongoing peace talks, citing DRC’s failure to uphold commitments in the arrangement, although they have indicated a willingness to send a team to negotiate the terms of a ceasefire.
In light of these grave violations, HRW has urged the international community—including the UN Security Council and European Union—to condemn the abuses in eastern DRC and enforce sanctions against those responsible along with calls for accountability for military commanders involved in the conflict.
