KINSHASA, DRC – May 28, 2025 — International human rights organization Amnesty International has issued a damning report accusing the M23 rebel group operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of committing serious violations of international law, which it says could constitute war crimes.
In a report released Tuesday, the organization alleged that M23 fighters—widely believed to be supported by neighboring Rwanda—have been responsible for killings, torture, and the enforced disappearance of civilians detained in areas under the group’s control.
“These grave abuses are in clear violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes,” Amnesty said, calling for urgent action to protect civilians trapped in the intensifying conflict.
Civilians Tortured and Disappeared in Rebel-Controlled Territory
According to Amnesty International, their findings are based on interviews conducted earlier this year with 18 individuals who had been detained by M23 fighters in the cities of Goma and Bukavu in North Kivu province. Of those, nine said they had been tortured during their detention.
“They accused us of helping the Congolese army, but they didn’t show us any evidence. We were not even told why we were being held,” one former detainee told Amnesty researchers.
Eight interviewees reported witnessing the deaths of fellow detainees, which they attributed to torture, malnutrition, or untreated illnesses due to the deplorable conditions in which they were held.
Detainees described overcrowded, unsanitary prison cells where hundreds were packed together with little or no access to clean water, food, medical care, or proper hygiene. In many cases, individuals were held incommunicado, denied access to legal counsel or contact with their families.
“These acts of cruelty highlight the absolute disregard for human dignity in areas under M23 control,” Amnesty noted in the report.
Amnesty Urges Immediate Action and Accountability
The human rights organization is now calling on the M23 rebels to release all civilians being arbitrarily detained and to guarantee humane treatment for those in custody. It also demanded that the group allow detainees access to legal representation and contact with their families.
“No armed group is above the law. M23 must immediately end these human rights violations and comply with international norms governing the treatment of prisoners,” Amnesty said.
Humanitarian Catastrophe in Eastern Congo
The renewed fighting between M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) has plunged the eastern provinces into deeper turmoil. According to humanitarian groups, over 1.7 million people have been displaced from their homes in North Kivu alone due to the ongoing conflict.
Since the beginning of this year, M23 has rapidly expanded its territorial control, launching a series of offensives that saw them capture major cities such as Goma in January and Bukavu in February.
“These offensives have not only brought widespread destruction but have resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths and worsening humanitarian conditions,” said a representative of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Kinshasa.
The M23 movement—short for March 23 Movement—is just one of more than 100 armed groups operating in eastern DRC. The region, rich in minerals like coltan, gold, and tin, has long been plagued by cycles of conflict involving both local and foreign actors vying for control over resources and territory.
Ongoing Tensions Despite Truce Agreement
Despite the DRC’s government and M23 rebels agreeing last month to pursue a path toward de-escalation and dialogue, clashes between the two sides have continued, undermining hopes of a lasting ceasefire.
In a recent statement, a spokesperson for the Congolese army accused M23 of violating the truce and continuing “aggressive operations” in rural communities around Goma and Rutshuru. The rebels, in turn, claim they are acting in self-defense and accuse the government of provoking hostilities.
“These continued clashes have rendered the ceasefire effectively meaningless,” said a conflict analyst based in Nairobi. “The risk to civilians is growing each day, and there is a need for stronger international diplomatic engagement to stop the violence.”
Rwanda’s Alleged Role and Regional Repercussions
Amnesty International’s report also reignites questions over the role of neighboring Rwanda in the conflict. M23 has long been suspected of receiving logistical, financial, and military support from the Rwandan government—a charge Kigali has repeatedly denied.
The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed previous accusations from the United Nations and Congolese authorities as “politically motivated and unsubstantiated.” However, multiple UN reports and regional observers have cited credible evidence of Rwandan involvement in bolstering the M23’s capabilities.
“Without external support, M23 would not have the ability to carry out operations at this scale,” said an analyst from the Kivu Security Tracker, an organization monitoring violence in the region.
Calls are growing for the African Union and international community to increase pressure on Rwanda and other parties accused of fueling the conflict. Civil society groups in Congo have urged the UN Security Council to consider sanctions and other measures targeting external sponsors of the rebel group.
World’s Most Overlooked Humanitarian Crisis
The humanitarian situation in the eastern DRC has been described by the United Nations as one of the world’s most dire and underreported crises. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), more than seven million people are internally displaced across the country, with many facing food shortages, disease, and limited access to aid.
“With the ongoing violence and now credible reports of torture and unlawful detentions, the international community can no longer turn a blind eye,” Amnesty International said in its concluding remarks.
It has called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other relevant bodies to begin investigations into the alleged war crimes, and urged international partners to increase humanitarian funding and protection measures for civilians in affected regions.
