M23 Killed Over 310 Civilians in Eastern DRC in Under Two Weeks Despite Ceasefire Deal, UN Human Rights Chief Says
The deadly attacks occurred in a district of the North Kivu province between July 9–21, Volker Turk said in a statement, urging to immediately stop all attacks against civilians.
Most of the victims, including at least 48 women and 19 children, were local farmers working in fields, he added.
Despite a ceasefire deal signed between the DRC and M23 on July 19 and another one signed between the DRC and Rwanda on June 27, progress on the ground remains limited, the statement emphasized.
“I urge the signatories and facilitators of both the Doha and Washington agreements to ensure that they rapidly translate into safety, security and real progress for civilians in the DRC,” Turk stated.
More deathd reported, brutal escalation of violence attributed to the M23 rebel group, despite an existing ceasefire agreement brokered earlier this year.
The M23, short for March 23 Movement, is a rebel militia group that re-emerged in late 2021 after years of dormancy.
Despite international condemnation and a peace roadmap led by the East African Community (EAC), the group has continued its offensive, reportedly backed by regional actors, particularly Rwanda — an allegation Kigali strongly denies.
The Congolese government has renewed its call for international support to help contain the insurgency and protect civilians. However, locals say the army is overwhelmed and undersupplied, while regional forces deployed to monitor the ceasefire have been largely passive.
As the death toll continues to rise, pressure is mounting on the African Union and United Nations to move from diplomatic rhetoric to tangible action.
