The security landscape in the eastern regions of the République démocratique du Congo is witnessing a catastrophic surge in violence. International investigators have provided a definitive assessment, identifying the AFC/M23 as the non-state armed group most responsible for the vast majority of international humanitarian law violations in the area.
A catalog of systematic atrocities
The evidence gathered reveals a strategy of terror involving summary executions and the deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure. In the Rutshuru territory, specifically within the Bwito and Bwisha chefferies, villages have been razed and essential livelihoods set ablaze. Furthermore, a calculated humanitarian blockade in Minembwe has effectively isolated the Banyamulenge population, cutting off their access to vital resources and basic necessities.
The report highlights a particularly disturbing trend in conflict-related sexual violence. Since the beginning of 2024, these crimes have reached levels described as “unprecedented,” with the AFC/M23 cited as the primary perpetrator. Women and young girls continue to bear the disproportionate brunt of these targeted assaults.
State forces and regional dynamics
While the AFC/M23 leads in non-state violations, the FARDC has been designated as the principal state-level actor responsible for human rights abuses. This dual accountability complicates the narrative of the conflict, illustrating a complex environment where both rebel factions and national forces are implicated in the suffering of civilians.
The persistence of the AFC/M23 is closely linked to external military involvement. Observations indicate that over 10,000 soldiers from the Rwanda army are actively supporting the group, with no visible signs of a withdrawal. Simultaneously, the threat from the ADF remains critical, as the group is now ranked as the second most lethal Daech affiliate operating globally.
Security as a national priority
In response to the deteriorating situation, President Félix Tshisekedi has reaffirmed that the safety of populations in the east is the central focus of his administration. He maintained that a sustainable peace cannot be built on the erasure of truth or by granting concessions to those who take up arms against the République. For the government, the restoration of state authority and the protection of citizens remain the only path forward in addressing the eastern DRC security crisis.