DRC: M23 rebels executed at least 21 civilians in Goma, Human Rights Watch says
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Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the M23 rebel group of executing at least 21 civilians in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The executions reportedly occurred on 22 and 23 February 2025, amid a surge in violence in eastern Congo.
In a report published on Tuesday, HRW said that M23 fighters, widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, carried out systematic killings targeting neighborhoods suspected of harboring support for the Congolese army (FARDC).
According to the report, dozens of M23 fighters stormed Goma’s Kasika neighborhood on 22 February. Seven civilians were reportedly shot in the head near the Katindo military camp, a former Congolese army barracks. The following day, the bodies of 11 more civilians, including a young boy, were discovered at a nearby construction site, just 100 meters from the camp.
The violence escalated on 23 February when M23 fighters detained around 20 men near a local sports field. The rebels accused the men of being members of the Congolese army or of evading forced recruitment. Three of the men were killed while trying to escape, HRW said.
Witnesses interviewed by HRW confirmed M23’s involvement in the killings, which the group described as part of a broader campaign to intimidate civilians and consolidate control.
“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 Human Rights Watch.
“These mass killings don’t appear to be the actions of rogue fighters, but deliberate efforts by M23 leadership to secure dominance by any means necessary.”
HRW stated that the actual death toll could be significantly higher, citing reports from medical workers who claim over 50 bodies were recovered during the two-day period.
Context: Growing Conflict in Eastern DRC
The conflict in eastern Congo has escalated rapidly since January 2025, when M23 seized Goma, followed by the capture of Bukavu in February. The rebel group, which claims to be fighting for the rights of Congolese Tutsis, has long been accused of committing grave human rights violations, including targeting civilians, arbitrary executions, and forced recruitment.
The recent violence has added to the decades-long humanitarian crisis in the region. Thousands have been killed in the renewed fighting, and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes, sparking a fresh wave of displacement.
In a separate report released on 27 May, Amnesty International echoed HRW’s findings. Amnesty accused M23 rebels of torturing, killing, and disappearing detainees in both Goma and Bukavu. The organization stated that these acts violate international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes.
“These actions not only violate the Geneva Conventions but show a disturbing trend of systematic repression of civilians in rebel-held territories,” Amnesty’s report said.
Rebels Deny Allegations
In response to the mounting accusations, M23 and the Congo River Alliance jointly issued a report on 30 May, denying all allegations of human rights violations. The report accused NGOs of publishing “biased and politically motivated” accounts of events in the region.
Despite the denials, international scrutiny is intensifying. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has launched an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in North Kivu, particularly those committed by M23 fighters.
Growing International Concern
The renewed violence in the DRC has drawn international condemnation, with humanitarian organizations calling for increased protection for civilians and accountability for perpetrators.
HRW and Amnesty are urging the United Nations, African Union, and regional governments to apply diplomatic pressure and support legal action against those responsible for the atrocities.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, many fear that without meaningful intervention, the cycle of violence in eastern Congo will only worsen.
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