Militias and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have committed massacres, ethnically targeted killings, and gang rapes, according to two reports released Wednesday by leading human rights organizations.
Human Rights Watch alleged that M23 rebels were responsible for widespread atrocities in areas under their control, including at least 141 executions in July alone. The group said it has “grave concerns of ethnic cleansing,” noting that many of those killed were members of Congo’s Hutu community.
A separate report by Amnesty International accused Congolese government-backed militias of carrying out multiple gang rapes, with women and girls bearing the heaviest toll.
“The world must say enough,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s regional director for East and Southern Africa. “All warring parties must prioritize the protection of civilians.”
M23 currently controls swathes of mineral-rich territory near the Rwandan border. The group claims it is defending Congo’s Tutsi community against militias linked to the perpetrators of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. M23 representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
Peace talks between Congo and M23, mediated by Qatar, remain fragile, with both sides accusing each other of violating a ceasefire. Rwanda and Congo signed a separate U.S.-backed agreement in June in which Rwanda pledged to support dialogue, though Kigali has repeatedly denied backing M23.
Congo’s foreign minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, said the reports of targeted executions “cast a grave shadow” over both the Washington peace deal and the Doha negotiations.
Meanwhile, Congolese army spokesman Major General Sylvain Ekenge acknowledged that government forces are struggling to control militias entrenched in M23-held areas.
