Condemnation of Civilian Killings in Eastern Congo
On Thursday, the Democratic Republic of Congo condemned the killing of over 300 civilians in North Kivu last month, attributing the violence to M23 rebels who have continued their attacks despite a ceasefire agreement signed in Doha.
The UN Human Rights Office reported at least 319 civilian deaths across four villages in July, with Kinshasa describing this toll as “one of the heaviest since the resurgence of M23,” reminiscent of the Kishishe massacre in November 2022.
According to government findings, which align with the UN report, the majority of victims—including women and children—were unarmed civilians executed in their homes or fields. The Communication Ministry expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and committed to aiding survivors while pursuing accountability.
This denunciation follows a declaration of principles signed on July 19 by the Congolese government and M23, which came after a Congo-Rwanda agreement facilitated in Washington on June 27. The government condemned the recent killings as a “flagrant violation” of these commitments. “No peace process can prosper in silence in the face of horror,” stated government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya.
In response, M23 accused the Congolese army of violating the ceasefire ahead of the upcoming negotiations. Both Kinshasa and the UN have consistently alleged that Rwanda supports the M23, a claim that Kigali has denied. The rebel group remains a major player in the ongoing eastern conflict, controlling substantial territory, including key urban centers captured earlier this year.
, reports 24brussels.
