United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has strongly condemned the surge in deadly attacks by the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group and other armed factions against civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the past month. The violence persists despite recent peace agreements aimed at de-escalating the conflict.
Ceasefire Agreements Ignored Amid Rising Violence
In July, the DRC government and the M23 group signed a declaration of principles in Qatar, agreeing to a ceasefire and committing to further negotiations for a comprehensive peace deal. This followed a separate peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, brokered in Washington D.C. in June. However, the UN Human Rights Office reports that these diplomatic efforts have failed to curb the bloodshed on the ground.
According to firsthand accounts gathered by the UN, at least 319 civilians were killed by M23 fighters—allegedly supported by members of the Rwandan Defense Force—between July 9 and July 21 in four villages within North Kivu province’s Rutshuru territory. The victims included 48 women and 19 children, many of whom were local farmers camping in their fields during the planting season.
One of the Deadliest Phases Since M23’s Resurgence
The UN described the killings as “one of the largest documented death tolls” in such attacks since the M23 rebel group re-emerged in 2022. The armed faction, which has been accused of receiving backing from Rwanda, has repeatedly denied allegations of targeting civilians.
In addition to M23’s atrocities, the UN also documented multiple attacks by other armed groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the CODECO militia, in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces throughout July.
UN Calls for Immediate Accountability
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk reiterated his demand for all parties to “immediately cease attacks on civilians” and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.
“All those responsible for these atrocities must be held to account,” Türk said, urging signatories of the Doha and Washington agreements to “ensure real progress for civilians in the DRC.”
The escalating violence underscores the fragility of peace efforts in the region, where decades of conflict have displaced millions and left civilians vulnerable to repeated atrocities. The international community continues to monitor the situation as pressure mounts for a sustainable resolution.
