A report released Tuesday by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the M23 rebels of killing at least 21 civilians in just two days in February in the city of Goma, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The report covers events on February 22–23 in Goma and provides a chilling picture of the ongoing violence amid escalating conflict.
HRW stated: “Commanders and fighters who ordered or directly committed these abuses must be held accountable.”
The M23 rebels have captured two major eastern cities, Goma and Bukavu, in a series of offensives that began in January. This new wave of violence has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands. The report states that on February 22, 21 civilians, including six men and one woman, were shot in the head near the Katindo military camp in Goma. HRW attributes the killings to M23, based on eyewitness accounts.
In other instances, M23 allegedly killed civilians and dumped their bodies at a construction site, less than 100 meters from the military base. Among them was a 15-year-old boy, reportedly abducted from home and later found dead, according to a relative and a neighbor interviewed by HRW. The Kasika area of Goma had been targeted because it had previously hosted Congolese army positions.
The violence continued on February 23, when M23 rebels gathered about 20 young men at a nearby football field. An eyewitness told HRW that the rebels accused them of being soldiers. Three who tried to flee were shot dead.
M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa told Reuters that the group would review the allegations and share their findings:
“HRW gives us an opportunity to self-assess. We respect the organization, although some of its past claims have proven false.”
HRW also reported that medical personnel confirmed over 50 bodies had been collected in Kasika within the two days. Other rights groups have similarly accused M23 of committing serious atrocities in eastern DRC.
In March, Amnesty International reported that rebels attacked a hospital in Goma searching for wounded Congolese soldiers and abducted 130 people, including medical staff. Many were abused, and some are still missing.
