Latest news with #RwandanDefenseForce
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Rwanda-backed rebels kill 80 in DR Congo as Qatar aims for peace
Rwanda-backed rebels have killed at least 80 people in eastern DR Congo in recent weeks, Congolese authorities said, despite the ongoing Qatar-led peace process aiming to end the conflict. The army said in a statement late on Friday that it is 'fiercely condemning a series of mass murders of civilians by the [Rwandan Defense Force]/M23-AFC coalition' in South Kivu , including 80 people on August 4 in the village of Nyaborongo, and six civilians, including two minors, on July 24 in the village of Lumbishi. 'In addition to this excessive criminality, the M23/AFC is engaged in the forced recruitment of young people, including minors, to join their illegal organisation,' the statement said. The continuing violence could threaten Qatar-led efforts to get Congo and the rebels to sign a permanent peace deal by the goal of August 18. One of the deal's conditions is the protection of civilians and the safe return of millions of people displaced by the conflict. There was no immediate comment from M23. Earlier this month, the UN human rights chief said that M23 killed 319 people over the past month in a different part of the region, describing the toll as one of the largest documented in such attacks since the M23 rebels resurfaced in 2022.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
The UN says Rwanda-backed rebels killed over 300 civilians in Congo in the past month
M23 rebels guard outside the South Kivu province administrative office, at the centre of east Congo's second-largest city, Bukavu, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Janvier Barhahiga , File) DAKAR, Senegal — Rwanda-backed rebels killed at least 319 people over the past month in eastern Congo, the UN human rights chief said Wednesday, describing the toll as one of the largest documented in such attacks since the M23 rebels resurfaced in 2022. Citing firsthand accounts, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement that the rebels, backed by members of the Rwandan Defense Force, targeted four villages in North Kivu province's Rutshuru territory between July 9 and July 21. The continuing violence could threaten Qatar-led efforts to get Congo and the rebels to sign a permanent peace deal by the goal of Aug. 18. One of the deal's conditions is the protection of civilians and safe return of millions of people displaced by the conflict. There was no immediate comment from M23 or the Rwandan government. The M23 early this year seized two key cities in eastern Congo in a major escalation, with the help of neighboring Rwandan forces. Congo has long been wracked by deadly conflict in its mineral-rich east, with more than 100 armed groups. The two sides on July 19 signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end the fighting and commit to a comprehensive peace agreement that would include the restoration of state authorities in key eastern cities controlled by the insurgents. The new UN statement said deadly attacks occurred in the days following that signing. 'I am appalled by the attacks on civilians by the M23 and other armed groups' despite the declaration, the UN human rights chief said, calling for an immediate end to attacks on civilians.
6 days ago
- Politics
Rwanda-backed rebels killed over 300 civilians in Congo in the past month, UN says
DAKAR, Senegal -- Rwanda-backed rebels killed at least 319 people over the past month in eastern Congo, the U.N. human rights chief said Wednesday, describing the toll as one of the largest documented in such attacks since the M23 rebels resurfaced in 2022. Citing firsthand accounts, U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement that the rebels, backed by members of the Rwandan Defense Force, targeted four villages in North Kivu province's Rutshuru territory between July 9 and July 21. The continuing violence could threaten Qatar-led efforts to get Congo and the rebels to sign a permanent peace deal by the goal of Aug. 18. One of the deal's conditions is the protection of civilians and safe return of millions of people displaced by the conflict. There was no immediate M23 comment. The M23 early this year seized two key cities in eastern Congo in a major escalation, with the help of neighboring Rwandan forces. Congo has long been wracked by deadly conflict in its mineral-rich east, with more than 100 armed groups. The two sides on July 19 signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end the fighting and commit to a comprehensive peace agreement that would include the restoration of state authorities in key eastern cities controlled by the insurgents. The new U.N. statement said deadly attacks occurred in the days following that signing. 'I am appalled by the attacks on civilians by the M23 and other armed groups" despite the declaration, the U.N. human rights chief said, calling for an immediate end to attacks on civilians.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
The UN says Rwanda-backed rebels killed over 300 civilians in Congo in the past month
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Rwanda-backed rebels killed at least 319 people over the past month in eastern Congo, the U.N. human rights chief said Wednesday, describing the toll as one of the largest documented in such attacks since the M23 rebels resurfaced in 2022. Citing firsthand accounts, U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement that the rebels, backed by members of the Rwandan Defense Force, targeted four villages in North Kivu province's Rutshuru territory between July 9 and July 21. The continuing violence could threaten Qatar-led efforts to get Congo and the rebels to sign a permanent peace deal by the goal of Aug. 18. One of the deal's conditions is the protection of civilians and safe return of millions of people displaced by the conflict. There was no immediate M23 comment. The M23 early this year seized two key cities in eastern Congo in a major escalation, with the help of neighboring Rwandan forces. Congo has long been wracked by deadly conflict in its mineral-rich east, with more than 100 armed groups. The two sides on July 19 signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end the fighting and commit to a comprehensive peace agreement that would include the restoration of state authorities in key eastern cities controlled by the insurgents. The new U.N. statement said deadly attacks occurred in the days following that signing. 'I am appalled by the attacks on civilians by the M23 and other armed groups' despite the declaration, the U.N. human rights chief said, calling for an immediate end to attacks on civilians.
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
The UN says Rwanda-backed rebels killed over 300 civilians in Congo in the past month
DAKAR, Senegal — Rwanda-backed rebels killed at least 319 people over the past month in eastern Congo , the U.N. human rights chief said Wednesday, describing the toll as one of the largest documented in such attacks since the M23 rebels resurfaced in 2022. Citing firsthand accounts, U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement that the rebels, backed by members of the Rwandan Defense Force, targeted four villages in North Kivu province's Rutshuru territory between July 9 and July 21.
