M23 committed mass abuses in Democratic Republic of Congo, Human Rights Watch says

Rwandan troops and the M23 armed group carried out a sweeping campaign of abuses in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Human Rights Watch alleged, citing forced recruitment, arbitrary detention, torture, and killings of civilians and captured fighters between mid-2024 and December 2025.

In a 78-page report, the group said thousands of people — including children as young as 12 — were seized across North and South Kivu and transported to detention and training camps in Rumangabo and Tshanzu. Detainees were subjected to beatings, forced labour, starvation conditions and, in some cases, summary executions. Former detainees and other sources also alleged the involvement of Rwandan soldiers in the operations.

Human Rights Watch said the breadth of Rwanda’s military presence could amount to effective control of the area and expose those forces to potential war crimes liability. The report warns that hundreds may have died in the camps and calls for international investigations, sanctions, and accountability measures. It urged regional and global actors to press Rwanda and the M23 to end abuses and allow justice processes to proceed.