The situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is becoming increasingly dire as the M23 armed group, supported by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), advances towards Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. This has put civilians at great risk, with catastrophic consequences for the humanitarian situation in the region. The M23 is facing opposition from Congolese military forces and a coalition of abusive militias known as “Wazalendo”.
On January 21, 2025, the M23 and Rwandan forces captured Minova, a town 40 kilometers from Goma, cutting off vital supply routes to the city’s population of one to two million people. This has led to an influx of displaced people fleeing towards Goma, with the United Nations Refugee Agency reporting that 400,000 people have been displaced in the past three weeks, adding to the already dire situation of more than four million internally displaced people in eastern Congo.
Human Rights Watch has been closely monitoring the situation and has spoken with military, diplomatic, and humanitarian sources in Goma. These sources have reported fighting near towns like Sake and Kibumba, with UN and Southern African forces deployed to block the M23’s advance. There have been reports of shelling in towns near Goma, resulting in civilian casualties and destruction of shelters in displacement sites.
Concerns have been raised about the potential for further attacks on civilians by retreating Wazalendo fighters and the lack of control over these militias following the death of North Kivu’s military governor during the fighting. The escalation of hostilities in eastern Congo has been ongoing since late 2024, with reports of fighting in various towns in North and South Kivu provinces.
Human Rights Watch is investigating reports of forced labor, forced recruitment, and other abusive practices by the M23 with the support of the Rwandan military. There have also been reports of indiscriminate shelling of displacement camps and densely populated areas near Goma throughout 2024, leading to civilian casualties and other abuses.
Despite calls for the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo to withdraw, it retains a presence in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, along with the Southern African Development Community Mission in Congo. Human Rights Watch is calling on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and facilitate the delivery of aid to those in need.
The situation in eastern Congo remains volatile and urgent action is needed to protect civilians and alleviate the suffering of those affected by the conflict. The international community must continue to monitor the situation closely and provide support to those in need.
In the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, warring parties are reminded of their obligation to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects. Any attacks that target civilians or fail to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants, or that would cause disproportionate harm to the civilian population compared to the anticipated military gain, are strictly prohibited under international law.
To address the situation, concerned governments must publicly support and swiftly implement sanctions against high-level commanders, including Rwandan officials supporting the M23 rebel group. The United Nations Security Council should impose travel bans and asset freezes on Congolese and Rwandan officials found to be providing military assistance to abusive armed groups. It is imperative for Angola, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, and other concerned parties to collectively pressure Congo and Rwanda to cease their support for these abusive armed groups.
Furthermore, the European Union and its member states should conduct a prompt review of their military assistance to the Rwandan armed forces, including recent decisions to renew support for deployments in regions like Cabo Delgado in Mozambique. This review aims to ensure that any support provided does not directly or indirectly contribute to abusive military operations in eastern Congo.
The African Union Peace and Security Council should urgently convene a session of heads of state and government to denounce ongoing human rights violations, facilitate AU-led mediation efforts, work towards disarming abusive non-state armed groups, and coordinate investigations into serious violations. It is crucial for the international community to come together to condemn these atrocities and work towards lasting peace in the region.
In October 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced renewed investigative efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a priority focus on alleged Rome Statute crimes in North Kivu since January 2022. The ICC has been investigating serious crimes in Congo since 2004, at the government’s request. The court’s investigation should encompass the role of the Congolese military in militia crimes and the Rwandan military’s involvement in M23 atrocities.
Human Rights Watch emphasizes the need for accountability for all parties involved in the conflict, stating that Rwandan forces, the M23 rebels, the Congolese military, and their allies have a history of atrocities that cannot go unpunished. It is crucial for concerned governments to send a clear message that impunity will not be tolerated.
This comprehensive approach, involving diplomatic pressure, sanctions, international investigations, and accountability measures, is essential to address the human rights abuses and violations occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By upholding international law and holding perpetrators accountable, we can work towards a more just and peaceful future for all those affected by the conflict.
