Congo accuses Rwanda and M23 rebels of mass killings, abductions and war crimes in eastern region

Congolese officials have accused Rwanda’s military and the M23 rebel group of serious crimes. They claim these groups are responsible for atrocities in eastern Congo.

The accusations were made by Congo’s interior ministry on Wednesday. They state that the abuses occurred between May 10 and 13. The victims were civilians accused of supporting the Congolese military or allied militias.

The statement reported 107 murders and over 4,000 abductions. It also mentioned hundreds of summary executions, rapes, and torture. Additionally, there were reports of looting and restrictions on movement.

These claims have not been independently verified yet. The Associated Press noted that neither the Rwandan military nor M23 responded to requests for comment.

The conflict in eastern Congo has intensified this year. In January, M23 captured Goma, a strategic city, followed by Bukavu in February. This surge in violence has led to around 3,000 deaths and raised fears of a regional war.

Kinshasa's allegations came after M23 displayed hundreds of detainees in Goma. They claimed these individuals were members of the Congolese army or militia fighters. M23 argued that Congo armed them to incite violence and blame M23.

U.N. investigators report that M23 receives support from about 4,000 Rwandan troops. At times, they have threatened to advance toward Kinshasa, which is over 1,600 kilometers away.

The current unrest stems from long-standing ethnic tensions in the region. M23 claims it protects Congo’s ethnic Tutsi community. Rwanda argues that Tutsis in Congo face threats from Hutus linked to the 1994 genocide.

After the genocide, many Hutus fled to Congo and formed the FDLR rebel group. Rwanda claims this group is now integrated into Congo’s armed forces, a claim Congo denies.