Human rights organization Human Rights Watch has accused the M23 rebel group and the Rwanda Defence Force of carrying out mass killings of civilians, sexual violence and abductions during their occupation of the town of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in late 2025 and early 2026.
The organization said dozens of civilians were killed during the one-month period in which M23 controlled the area.
The investigation includes testimonies from survivors who said they witnessed abuses committed by uniformed Rwandan soldiers. Rwanda has consistently denied that its troops are operating inside the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Thousands of residents fled the town when M23 seized control of the area.
The Human Rights Watch investigation highlights what some of those who remained behind said happened afterward.
The group’s report includes accounts of brutal killings, sexual violence, abductions and enforced disappearances.
Investigators said they found evidence of three mass graves and reported that 53 civilians, including six children, were killed.
Rwanda denies supporting the M23 rebel group and says its soldiers have not crossed the border into the neighboring country.
However, the report includes testimonies from witnesses who said they saw uniformed officers committing crimes against civilians.
M23 controlled the Uvira area for one month before withdrawing under diplomatic pressure from Western countries, including the United States, which helped broker a peace agreement.
Despite the agreement, the rebels still control large areas and fighting continues.
The M23 rebel group and the Rwandan government did not respond to requests from BBC for comment on the allegations.
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