Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused M23 rebels and the Rwandan army of carrying out killings, rapes, and abductions during their month-long occupation of Uvira, a lakeside city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, from late 2025 to early 2026. According to the report released on Thursday, the rebels briefly captured Uvira in December before withdrawing under pressure from the US.
Key Takeaways
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused M23 rebels and the Rwandan army of carrying out killings, rapes, and abductions during their month-long occupation of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The report documents 53 summary executions, eight rapes, and 12 enforced disappearances.
- HRW report details atrocities committed by M23 rebels and Rwandan army in Uvira
- 53 summary executions, including one woman, documented during door-to-door raids
- Eight cases of rape and 12 enforced disappearances reported
- Rebels shot at fleeing civilians and targeted individuals accused of militia links
- Rwanda denies supporting M23 or deploying soldiers to eastern DR Congo
The HRW investigation documented 53 summary executions, including those of men, boys, and one woman, during door-to-door raids. The report also details eight cases of rape and 12 enforced disappearances committed by the rebels. Fighters reportedly shot at fleeing civilians and targeted individuals accused of links to government-backed local militias.
Rwanda's government and a spokesperson for the M23 rebels have not responded to requests for comment, though both have denied past allegations of human rights abuses. Rwanda has consistently denied supporting the M23 or deploying its soldiers to eastern DR Congo, despite accusations from international actors like the US and European powers.
The conflict in eastern Congo has persisted despite mediation efforts by various international bodies. The US imposed sanctions on the Rwandan Defence Force and senior army officials in March for their alleged support of M23, which Rwanda denies. Late last week, the rebels withdrew from several positions in South Kivu, retreating about 30 kilometers further north.
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