Atrocities Continue in DR Congo as M23 Rebels Kill Over 140 Civilians

Thu Oct 23 2025 16:46:10 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A shocking report from Human Rights Watch reveals that M23 rebels have committed mass killings in eastern DR Congo, undermining ongoing peace efforts.

The ongoing violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in the deaths of at least 140 civilians, with Human Rights Watch detailing the brutal actions of M23 rebels. Despite international peace efforts, including a ceasefire agreement, the situation remains dire as the group continues its violent campaign against local populations.

The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has seen a horrific escalation of violence as M23 rebels have reportedly killed at least 140 civilians in a recent wave of atrocities, according to a new report from Human Rights Watch (HRW). This chilling incident comes amid ongoing peace negotiations facilitated by the United States and Qatar, aimed at resolving the region's long-standing conflict.

Witnesses have recounted harrowing tales of violence in the Rutshuru area, close to the Virunga National Park, where the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels allegedly executed local residents, including women and children predominantly from the ethnic Hutu community. The insurgents have consistently denied involvement in these killings, labeling the accusations a "blatant misrepresentation."

The report indicates that the M23's assault on civilians coincided with its military campaign against an armed Hutu group, the FDLR, established by those responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The organization suggests that deaths in July alone could surpass 300, aligning with early UN findings that highlighted the scale of the violence in the region.

Conflict escalated notably in January when M23 captured significant territories in eastern DRC, including the critical hub of Goma. UN estimates indicate that thousands have fallen victim to the ongoing strife, and countless others have fled their homes, deepening a humanitarian crisis.

Accounts collected by HRW detail systematic attacks across at least 14 villages between July 10 and July 30. Witnesses described being encircled by M23 fighters, who employed both firearms and machetes. One heartbreaking testimony involved a woman whose husband was killed right before her eyes, and who narrowly escaped death by jumping into a river.

Adding distress to the situation, M23 instructed grieving families to bury their deceased in fields, complicating any efforts to conduct proper funerals. The report emphasizes that the Rwanda Defence Force has been involved in supporting M23 operations during these assaults.

The DRC and Rwanda engaged in discussions about peace and the need to "neutralize" the FDLR, which poses a security threat to Rwanda. Although a ceasefire deal was struck in Qatar last month, the M23 has since walked away from the negotiations, citing unmet obligations by the DRC government.

Human Rights Watch insists on the urgency of condemning the abuses in eastern DRC and has called on the UN Security Council, the European Union, and international governments to impose further sanctions against the perpetrators and pursue justice for the victims. The grim reality of the conflict underscores the challenges in establishing lasting peace and stability in the region.