Atrocities Continue in Eastern DR Congo Despite Peace Efforts

Thu Oct 23 2025 13:59:55 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A recent report reveals a devastating killing spree by M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo, highlighting ongoing violence despite attempts at peace negotiations.

Human Rights Watch reports that M23 rebels killed at least 140 civilians last month in eastern DR Congo. This violence, attributed largely to ethnic tensions, comes amidst stalled peace talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.

The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has witnessed a horrifying surge of violence, with reports indicating that M23 rebels killed at least 140 civilians in July. This spike in brutality has been detailed in a recent Human Rights Watch (HRW) report, marking one of the deadliest periods since the group's resurgence in late 2021. The atrocities occurred despite ongoing peace negotiations facilitated by the U.S. and Qatar, aimed at stabilizing the volatile region.

Witness testimonies reveal that the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels executed local residents, primarily from the Hutu ethnic group in the Rutshuru area bordering the Virunga National Park. The rebels, who have consistently denied involvement in civilian killings, are accused of executing individuals, including women and children, utilizing machetes and gunfire during their campaign against the armed Hutu group, the FDLR, reputed to include perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

HRW emphasized that these killings may represent just a fraction of the violence, estimating that total deaths in July could surpass 300. The report indicates that M23 fighters attacked in at least 14 different villages, surrounding local areas to prevent inhabitants from escaping during the attacks. Survivors shared chilling accounts of family members being murdered, with one woman recounting how she was forced to witness the execution of 70 others.

Further complicating the conflict, the report cites indications that members of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) have been supporting M23 operations, contradicting Rwanda's persistent denials of military aid to the rebel group. The escalating clashes have resulted in thousands of deaths and have displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

As peace prospects remain uncertain, HRW is urging international bodies, including the UN Security Council and the European Union, to take action against the egregious violations occurring in eastern DR Congo. The current situation continues to threaten the fragile efforts for peace, with the M23 recently withdrawing from negotiations, citing unmet commitments by the Congolese government. The humanitarian plight in this resource-rich region underscores the urgent need for effective action to protect civilians and restore stability.