A new Human Rights Watch report has exposed a troubling pattern of forced transfers and possible war crimes by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group in eastern DR Congo. Over 1,500 people, including Congolese citizens and Rwandan refugees, were unlawfully deported to Rwanda, raising questions about Rwanda’s real role in the region.

Kigali’s Hidden Hand Behind M23’s Brutal Operations

The report, based on interviews and verified testimonies, confirms what Congolese communities and observers have long suspected: Rwanda, far from being a passive neighbor, is actively controlling M23 operations on Congolese soil. Backed by logistical and military support from Kigali, M23 captured Goma and Bukavu in early 2025.

The result? Massive displacement, destruction of ID documents, and forced deportations under the guise of “repatriation.”

Legal experts now say Rwanda may meet the legal definition of a foreign occupying force in eastern Congo. Under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, the forcible transfer or deportation of civilians from occupied territory is strictly prohibited, regardless of motive.

• M23 forcibly dismantled the displacement camps around Goma.

• People were rounded up and pushed into the Lake Kivu Christian Center in Goma.

• Many were deported to Rwanda against their will.

Rwandan forces, according to military insiders, have directed M23 operations, equipped fighters with GPS-guided mortars and drones, and have even led press tours into occupied Congolese territory, further cementing claims of foreign occupation.

Deportations Dressed as “Repatriation”

UNHCR protocols require refugee returns to be voluntary, safe, and dignified. But the testimonies reveal a darker truth: people were sent to Rwanda with no choice. Their Congolese voter cards were burned by M23. Others agreed to leave only out of fear of reprisal.

Meanwhile, Rwanda’s foreign minister publicly justified the deportations by claiming the returnees were “held hostage” by the FDLR, a claim Congo’s Interior Ministry quickly denied.

Targeting Civilians Based on Ethnicity and Origin

The report reveals disturbing ethnic profiling: people perceived to be of Rwandan origin, regardless of their Congolese documentation, were targeted and labeled as “Rwandan subjects.” M23 soldiers destroyed Congolese ID cards and forcibly categorized people without due process.

In Goma’s Unity Stadium, 181 men were paraded in front of the media as “Rwandans” despite holding Congolese papers. At least five suspected FDLR members were abducted in Sake. Others were loaded onto buses and vanished without a trace.

Despite the mounting evidence, Rwanda continues to deflect and deny responsibility. But the International Criminal Court is watching. The ICC prosecutor has renewed investigations into crimes committed in North Kivu since 2022, specifically war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to forced transfers.

This isn’t just a humanitarian crisis; it’s a geopolitical crisis with implications for peace, sovereignty, and accountability in Africa. Rwanda’s actions challenge the credibility of international law and humanitarian norms. If the world allows these war crimes to go unpunished, it sets a dangerous precedent across conflict zones globally.