UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Aug. 6 condemned a recent surge in deadly attacks against civilians by M23 fighters and other armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The attacks come in spite of a June 27 Washington-brokered ceasefire agreement between the DRC government and Rwanda, which backs the M23 rebels.

Türk stressed the importance of adherence to the peace process and the need to hold accountable the perpetrators of ongoing acts of violence. He urged all parties to cease attacks on civilians and fulfill their obligations under international law. Noting the declaration of principles that the DRC government signed with the M23 and its affiliated Congo River Alliance in Doha, Qatar on July 19, he stated:

I urge the signatories and facilitators of both the Doha and Washington agreements to ensure that they quickly translate into safety, security, and real progress for civilians in the DRC, who continue to endure the devastating consequences of these conflicts.

The UN Human Rights Office reported that July recorded the highest number of civilian deaths since the resurgence of the M23 armed group in 2022. Just between July 9 and 21, the M23 conducted attacks that resulted in the death of 319 civilians, predominantly local farmers, including women and children. Other armed groups, such as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the Coopérative pour le développement du Congo (CODECO), also committed atrocities against civilians, including killings and destruction of homes and local shops, as well as sexual violence.

The declaration of principles signed in Doha last month commits the DRC and M23 to reach a final peace deal by Aug. 18. This peace agreement must align with the June peace agreement signed by the DRC and Rwanda in Washington, aiming to end the conflict and resume bilateral relations between the two countries to achieve lasting peace in the region. 

The UN has repeatedly condemned the relentless abuses against civilians carried out by armed actors in the eastern DRC, which have included raiding hospitals, kidnappings, sexual violence, and the military recruitment of children. In May, Amnesty International released a report indicating that the M23 committed human rights violations at detention sites under their control, which may have amounted to war crimes.

From JURIST, Aug. 7. Used with permission Internal links added.