By Africalivenews Staff
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a chilling new report accusing Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of executing at least 21 civilians in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), during a brutal two-day campaign in February.
The human rights watchdog said the alleged atrocities occurred on February 22 and 23 in the Kasika neighborhood of Goma, an area believed to have had Congolese army activity. The executions, according to HRW, were part of a broader pattern of violence aimed at consolidating control and intimidating communities suspected of supporting the DRC government.
Executions Near Military Site
According to the HRW report, dozens of armed M23 fighters stormed the Kasika neighborhood on February 22. Seven civilians were shot in the head near Katindo military camp, a former base of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC).
“The killings were deliberate, brutal, and intended to send a message,” said Clémentine de Montjoye, Senior Great Lakes Researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The M23’s brutal control over Goma has created a climate of fear among those perceived to be allied to the Congolese government.”
A further 11 bodies, including that of a young boy, were discovered later at a nearby construction site approximately 100 meters from the former military base. Witnesses told HRW that the victims were unarmed civilians, executed without warning or justification.
Mass Roundup and Killings on Day Two
The violence continued the following day. On February 23, M23 fighters reportedly rounded up around 20 men near a local sports field. Eyewitnesses said the men were accused of being either soldiers or forcibly recruited combatants. Three of the detainees tried to flee and were immediately shot dead, according to testimonies collected by HRW.
Local sources stated that many of the victims may have been arbitrarily detained or suspected of having ties to the Congolese army. Some witnesses said they believed the group was targeted as part of a forced recruitment campaign.
“These killings do not appear to be random acts of rogue fighters,” de Montjoye added. “They reflect a deliberate effort by the M23 leadership to entrench their control and eliminate perceived threats through fear and violence.”
Toll May Be Much Higher
While HRW documented 21 confirmed civilian deaths, the real number may be significantly higher. Health workers and local officials told the NGO that over 50 bodies were collected across Goma during the two-day period.
“The scale of the killings is deeply disturbing,” HRW said in its report. “There are strong indications that these acts form part of a wider strategy of terrorizing the civilian population.”
Ongoing Conflict and Regional Instability
The conflict in eastern Congo, rooted in decades of ethnic tensions, resource competition, and foreign interference, escalated sharply in early 2025. The M23 rebel group, long suspected of receiving military and logistical support from neighboring Rwanda, seized Goma in January and the city of Bukavu in February.
Their advance has displaced hundreds of thousands and resulted in the deaths of thousands more, including large numbers of civilians caught in the crossfire or targeted directly.
M23 has been widely condemned for attacks on civilians in past years. The latest round of allegations has further galvanized calls for international accountability and humanitarian intervention.
Amnesty International Echoes Alarming Findings
Human Rights Watch’s findings are consistent with those published by Amnesty International in a separate report on May 27. Amnesty accused M23 fighters of killing, torturing, and forcibly disappearing civilian detainees in Goma and Bukavu.
“These actions represent serious violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes,” Amnesty said.
Both HRW and Amnesty have urged the international community to increase pressure on M23 and their alleged backers to cease all violations against civilians and to grant unfettered access to humanitarian organizations and investigators.
Rebels Deny Allegations
On May 30, the M23 and the Congo River Alliance issued a joint statement denying all accusations of human rights abuses. The statement called the reports “politically motivated propaganda” and insisted that their fighters “respect international norms and protect civilians.”
“We categorically reject the false claims being made by Western organizations,” the statement read. “Our operations are strictly targeted at combatants, and we have no interest in harming innocent civilians.”
However, observers on the ground and international watchdogs continue to collect evidence pointing to widespread violations.
ICC Launches War Crimes Investigation
In response to growing international concern, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened an investigation into alleged crimes committed by all parties in the North Kivu region, including the M23 rebels.
The investigation, announced earlier this week, will focus on crimes against civilians, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and the use of child soldiers.
“Our preliminary evidence suggests serious violations of international law have occurred,” said Fatou Bensouda, the ICC Chief Prosecutor. “We are committed to bringing justice to the victims and holding those responsible to account.”
Global Condemnation Mounts
The United Nations and African Union have both condemned the violence and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region has urged neighboring countries to refrain from supporting armed groups in eastern Congo.
“The cycle of violence in eastern DRC must be broken,” said Bintou Keita, head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the Congo (MONUSCO). “Regional actors have a responsibility to ensure that armed groups like M23 are disarmed and held accountable.”
Calls for Protection and Accountability
Human rights organizations are now demanding urgent international action to prevent further atrocities. They are also urging the Congolese government to ensure that civilians in conflict zones receive adequate protection and that victims’ families are supported and compensated.
“The world must not turn a blind eye,” said de Montjoye. “We are witnessing grave abuses that could amount to war crimes. There must be consequences.”
As investigations continue and humanitarian needs soar, the people of eastern Congo remain trapped in a brutal cycle of violence, fear, and uncertainty—awaiting justice, protection, and the hope of lasting peace.
