“Violence in Congo: Horrific M23 Crimes Exposed by Human Rights Watch”

Since the end of 2022, the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been plagued by violence carried out by the M23 rebels, supported by the Rwandan army. Executions, rapes and other war crimes have thus been perpetrated, and explosive weapons have been used in populated areas, causing deaths and injuries, aggravating an already very difficult humanitarian crisis. According to Human Rights Watch, armed groups opposed to the M23 rebels have also committed rapes.

The M23 is an armed group made up of soldiers who mutinied in 2012 from the national Congolese army. The group’s commanders have already committed serious violence against civilians. Despite the catastrophic security situation due to two years of state of siege in the region, and the collaboration of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) with several armed groups, mainly on the basis of ethnic criteria, the warring parties increasingly appeal to ethnic loyalties, thus endangering the inhabitants of remote areas of the province of North Kivu.

By conducting interviews with victims, witnesses, local authorities, and international representatives, Human Rights Watch was able to document numerous abuses and sexual violence committed by the M23, including gang rapes and unlawful executions. According to testimonies, M23 fighters raped women in front of their families, including children, thus amplifying the traumatic impact of these acts.

Human Rights Watch recommends that the United Nations Security Council add M23 leaders and Rwandan officials who support them to the Council’s list of sanctions targets. The governments of the DRC and Rwanda must also bring to justice those who committed these crimes.

The situation in eastern DRC has been very difficult for several years, marked by violence, humanitarian crises and major political issues, with armed groups controlling part of the territory. It is essential that measures be taken so that peace can finally be established and so that civilians are no longer the victims of these conflicts.