HRW Accuses Rwanda-Backed M23 Rebels of Executing Civilians in Goma
June 3, 2025 Hour: 6:50 pm
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of executing at least 21 civilians in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, during February 22–23, 2025.
Mass Killings in Kasika Neighborhood
HRW reports that dozens of M23 fighters arrived in Kasika, Goma, on February 22, where they shot seven people in the head near Katindo military camp, a former Congolese army barracks.
Later, 11 more bodies, including a boy, were found at a construction site about 100 meters from the camp.
On February 23, M23 fighters rounded up 20 men near a sports field, accusing them of being Congolese army members or forcibly recruiting them. Three men who tried to escape were killed.
HRW Condemns M23’s Actions
HRW states that M23 targeted Kasika due to reports of Congolese army activity in the area.
“The M23’s brutal control over Goma has created a climate of fear among those perceived to be allied to the Congolese government,” said Clémentine de Montjoye, senior Great Lakes researcher at HRW.
She added, “The mass killings don’t seem to be actions by rogue fighters, but rather the M23 leadership’s efforts to solidify their control by whatever means necessary.”
Escalating Conflict in Eastern Congo
The decades-long conflict in eastern Congo intensified in January, when M23 seized Goma, followed by Bukavu in February.
The escalation has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands, with M23 frequently accused of targeting civilians.
Author: OSG
Source: EFE-Africanews