Rwanda-Backed M23 Rebels Accused of Mass Killings in Eastern Congo

In July 2025, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels reportedly killed at least 140 people in farming communities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as detailed in a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report. The killings, described as “summary executions,” predominantly targeted ethnic Hutus and occurred near Virunga National Park in North Kivu province. Witness accounts suggest that the total number of fatalities may exceed 300, marking one of the worst atrocities committed by the M23 since its resurgence in late 2021.

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The violence is rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which led to nearly two million Hutus fleeing to Congo. The M23 group, which has been accused of acting as a proxy for Rwandan interests, has been engaged in a military campaign against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu militia formed by participants of the genocide. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian crises, with the United Nations labeling it as one of the most protracted and complex globally.

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Survivors provided harrowing testimonies of the attacks. One woman recounted being forced to march with approximately 70 others to a riverbank, where M23 fighters opened fire, stating, “They told us to sit on the edge of the riverbank, and then they started shooting at us.” Another man described witnessing the murder of his wife and four children by M23 rebels. Reports indicate that M23 fighters instructed locals to bury the bodies immediately or leave them unburied, obstructing families from holding funerals.

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Willy Ngoma, the military spokesperson for M23, dismissed the HRW report as “military propaganda.” The Rwandan government has not publicly commented on the allegations, although it has previously denied accusations of supporting the M23. The DRC’s foreign ministry stated that the reported atrocities cast doubt on the sincerity of ongoing peace negotiations.

Human Rights Watch has urged the international community, including the United Nations Security Council and the European Union, to impose sanctions and pursue the arrest of those responsible for the violence. Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s regional director for East and Southern Africa, emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “Rwanda and (Congo) cannot continue shunning responsibility; they must hold all perpetrators accountable.”

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The reported killings have raised concerns about the viability of peace talks mediated by the United States and Qatar. Despite a June 27 agreement between DRC and Rwanda aimed at restoring state authority and a ceasefire, violence has escalated, with M23 recently walking away from negotiations, citing unmet commitments by the Congolese government. The situation remains precarious, with millions displaced and ongoing hostilities threatening any prospects for lasting peace in the region.