Rwandan army, M23 rebels committed murders, rapes in Congo’s Uvira

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative file photo — A soldier with the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) is seen at the border crossing point at Gisenyi, in Rubavu district, Rwanda, January 29, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

By Clement Bonnerot (Reuters)

DAKAR  -  M23 rebels and the Rwandan army carried out killings, rapes and abductions during a month-long occupation of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in late 2025 and early 2026, Human Rights Watch said in a report on Thursday. 

• The rebels briefly captured the city of Uvira in December and withdrew weeks later under pressure from the United States.

• Human Rights Watch documented 53 summary executions, eight rapes and 12 enforced disappearances committed by the rebels during their takeover and occupation of Uvira.

• Fighters shot at fleeing civilians and went door-to-door targeting men and boys accused of links to government-backed local militias, the report said.

• Rwanda's government and a spokesperson for the rebels did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Both have denied past allegations of human rights abuses and accused the Congolese army and allied militias of targeting members of the Tutsi community.

• Fighting has continued in eastern Congo despite mediation efforts by various international actors, including the United States.

• Washington imposed sanctions in March on the Rwandan Defence Force and senior army officials over their alleged support for M23, which Rwanda denies.

• Late last week, the rebels withdrew from several positions in South Kivu, where Uvira is located, retreating about 30 kilometres further north.

(Writing by Clement Bonnerot; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet;Editing by Sanjeev Miglani) // REUTERS)