The United Nations has condemned the M23 rebels for killing at least 319 civilians, including 48 women and 19 children, in eastern Congo’s North Kivu province last month.
The violence in the Rutshuru territory produced one of the largest documented death tolls in such attacks since the M23’s resurgence in 2022, according to Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The victims, mainly local farmers, were attacked while camping in their fields during the planting season.
The UN Human Rights Office documented multiple attacks in the North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces, including those by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and Coopérative pour le développement du Congo (CODECO) armed groups.
M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa had previously stated that the group would investigate the allegations, but also suggested that the report could be a “smear campaign”.
The UN has urged all parties to protect civilians and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law.
