Since the end of 2022, the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been disrupted by the activities of the M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda. These armed groups have committed unlawful executions, serial rapes and manifest war crimes. Attacks in populated areas of North Kivu province have caused significant damage to infrastructure and aggravated the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Armed groups opposed to the M23 have also been implicated in acts of violence.
To extend its control over Rutshuru territory and that of neighboring Masisi territory, the Rwandan army had deployed troops to eastern DR Congo to provide direct military support to the M23. The UN Security Council is being asked to add M23 leaders, as well as Rwandan officials who support this abusive armed group, to the council’s list of sanctions targets.
For Clémentine de Montjoye, researcher in the Africa division at Human Rights Watch, “The relentless killings and rapes committed by the M23 are facilitated by the military support that Rwandan commanders provide to the rebel armed group. Both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have an obligation to bring to justice M23 commanders for their crimes, as well as any Rwandan officials who support them. »
According to Human Rights Watch, the M23 armed group includes soldiers who took part in a mutiny within the Congolese national army in 2012. The group’s senior commanders have a well-known history of serious abuses against civilians. Moreover, the two years of state of siege in the region and the collaboration of the FARDC with several armed groups, mainly according to ethnic criteria, have aggravated the situation. Warring parties are increasingly appealing to ethnic loyalties, putting civilians in remote areas of North Kivu province at heightened risk.
Human Rights Watch interviewed 81 Congolese victims of abuse, their families, witnesses, local and international authorities, representatives of Congolese and international nongovernmental organizations, and foreign diplomats. The NGO also verified, using satellite images, photos and videos, the bombing and destruction of civilian infrastructure. Most documented abuse took place between November 2022 and March 2023.
Human Rights Watch has documented 8 unlawful executions and 14 cases of rape committed by M23 fighters. Survivors and witnesses identified M23 fighters based on their uniforms and equipment, and in some cases with the help of photographs released by the UN Group of Experts on the DR Congo. Victims say some M23 rebels identified themselves as such or said they came from Rwanda. Gang rapes involving up to five attackers have been reported. Moreover, Human Rights Watch also documented six cases of rape committed by rebels linked to other armed groups, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
Because of stigma, the total number of incidents of sexual violence committed by armed groups is most likely much higher. Survivors told traumatic stories like that of a 46-year-old mother of six, who fled Mushaki to Masisi territory on February 25 with her 75-year-old mother. She came across a group of 10 M23 rebels who took their money, wanted to rape the woman but since the mother refused, they shot her in the chest, killing her on the spot before four of them between them do rape the girl.
In all, 7 people were killed and 3 others were injured in apparently indiscriminate shelling of populated areas in Kanombe, Kitchanga and near Mushaki, during M23 attacks. The insecurity this causes in the region is worrying, as it jeopardizes their peace and development. The political authorities of the DR Congo and the Great Lakes region are called upon to commit themselves deeply to ensure the stability of the region