HRW Says M23, Rwandan Forces Must Face Justice Over Uvira Atrocities

Human Rights Watch has accused M23 rebels and Rwandan military forces of carrying out killings, rapes, abductions and enforced disappearances during their occupation of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a Reuters report published Thursday.

The rights group said the abuses took place during a month-long occupation of the South Kivu city between December 2025 and January 2026. HRW said it documented more than 50 summary executions, at least eight rapes and multiple enforced disappearances linked to M23 fighters and members of the Rwanda Defence Force.

According to BBC reporting, HRW investigators interviewed more than 120 survivors, witnesses, relatives of victims and other sources. Witnesses described fighters shooting civilians during house-to-house searches, targeting men and boys accused of links to pro-government Wazalendo militias, and attacking people who tried to flee toward Burundi or nearby hills.

A local outlet reported that HRW said many of the alleged abuses may amount to war crimes under international humanitarian law. The report also said Uvira fell to M23 and Rwandan forces on December 10, 2025, before the rebels withdrew in January under international pressure.

Rwanda has repeatedly denied supporting M23 or deploying troops in eastern Congo. The rebel movement has also previously denied accusations of abuses, while accusing Congolese forces and allied militias of targeting Tutsi communities.

The allegations add pressure to regional and international efforts to stabilize eastern Congo, where fighting has continued despite mediation efforts involving the United States and other actors. Washington imposed sanctions in March on Rwanda’s military and senior officers over alleged support for M23, allegations Kigali denies.

HRW called for credible investigations and accountability, warning that without action by Congolese and Rwandan authorities, backed by international support, similar abuses could be repeated elsewhere in eastern DR Congo.