A disturbing new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has shed light on a brutal wave of violence that unfolded in February in eastern Congo, pointing fingers at the M23 rebel group, which is allegedly supported by Rwanda. The report accuses M23 fighters of executing at least 21 civilians over just two days—February 22 and 23—in the city of Goma.
While eastern Congo has long been plagued by armed conflict, this latest escalation has reignited fears about the scope and severity of violence carried out by militias operating in the region.
Killings Near Military Camp
According to eyewitness accounts collected by HRW, six men and one woman were lined up and shot in the head near the Katindo military camp on February 22. M23 rebels, who had taken control of the area earlier in the year, were identified by local witnesses as the perpetrators.
Not far from the same location, more bodies were found at a construction site—among them, a 15-year-old boy who had been taken from his home the night before. A relative of the victim said they later discovered his lifeless body dumped at the site.
“These acts are not just random acts of violence,” the HRW report states. “They appear to be deliberate executions carried out with impunity. Commanders and fighters responsible must be held accountable.”
Targeting Civilians Under Suspicion
Goma’s Kasika neighborhood, already scarred by past military presence, saw continued bloodshed the next day. On February 23, witnesses say M23 rebels rounded up around 20 young men at a local sports field, accusing them of being soldiers or affiliated with Congo’s military.
When three of the men attempted to escape, they were shot on the spot.
“The fear was overwhelming,” said one witness who managed to hide. “You could hear the shots and screams. No one was safe.”
While HRW officially documented 21 civilian deaths, local medical teams told investigators that over 50 bodies were retrieved from Kasika during the same two-day period, suggesting the true death toll could be significantly higher.
M23’s top official, Bertrand Bisimwa, responded to the report by saying the group takes the allegations seriously. “We respect Human Rights Watch as an organization,” Bisimwa told Reuters. “Despite some of their previous claims being false, we’ll investigate these accusations.”
Also, read: U.S. Eyes Rwanda as Next Destination for Migrant Transfers Amid Border Crackdown
This isn’t the first time M23 rebels have been accused of grave human rights violations. Just this March, Amnesty International released a report detailing how M23 fighters raided hospitals in Goma, abducted 130 individuals—including healthcare workers—and subjected many to torture. Several remain missing to this day.
UNICEF also reported an alarming five-fold increase in rape cases treated at medical centers across eastern Congo. The agency described the situation as the worst sexual violence crisis the region has faced in years, with nearly a third of the victims being children.
One particularly harrowing case involved a mother whose six daughters, the youngest only 12, were raped by armed men who broke into their home searching for food.
Roots of the Conflict
The ongoing turmoil in eastern Congo is deeply rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the enduring fight over Congo’s vast and resource-rich land. The United Nations has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the M23, a claim Kigali denies. Rwandan officials argue their involvement is limited to defending their national security interests against Congolese armed groups.
Yet, for the people living in cities like Goma, the political justifications and international posturing offer little comfort.
“We’re just trying to survive each day,” said one Goma resident who asked not to be named for fear of retribution. “We hear gunfire, see bodies, and live in fear. When will it end?”
As the international community continues to call for accountability and an end to the violence, many in Congo are left waiting—hoping that someone, somewhere, will act before more lives are lost.
