The United Nations Human Rights Office (Ohchr) said he received first -hand accounts that at least 319 civilians had been killed by M23 fighters, helped by Rwanda Defense Force, between July 9 and 21 in the northern Kivu province.
Most of the victims, including at least 48 women and 19 children, were local farmers camping in their fields during the planting season.
Stop the attacks immediately
Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemned “the rise of deadly violence”.
“I am dismayed by attacks on civilians by M23 and other armed groups in the east of the DRC in the middle of fighting, despite the ceasefire that was recently signed in Doha,” he said in a press release on Wednesday.
“” All attacks on civilians must stop immediately and all those responsible must be held to account.“”
The latest massacre marks one of the highest civil death tolls documented since the M23 – a group largely made up of Congolese Tutsi fighters created over 15 years ago – reappeared as a major military threat in 2022.
The peace agreement vacillates
The peak of violence occurs only a few weeks after two high -level peace initiatives seemed to offer a path to go.
On June 27, Rwanda and the DRC signed a Bilateral peace agreement In Washington, followed by the so -called Doha declaration between the DRC government and the rebel leaders of M23 on July 19, which has engaged both parties to a ceasefire and other negotiations.
However, humanitarian NGOs say that little has changed on the ground.
“I urge the signatories and facilitators of the Doha and Washington agreements Ensure that they quickly translate into security, security and real progress for civilians“Said Mr. Türk.
Attacks on all sides
Meanwhile, other armed groups continue to terrorize civilians in eastern Congo. Just in July, the UN documented the deadly attacks of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), cooperate the development of Congo (Codeco) and Raia Mutomboki / Wazalendo Militias in Ituri, South Kivu and North Kivu.
July 27, ADF fighters attacked a Christian congregation in the village of Komanda of IturiKilling at least 40 worshipers – including 13 children – and houses, stores and burned vehicles. Earlier in the month, the same group killed at least 70 civilians in a single attack on the village of Pikamaibo.
Women and girls also endure systematic sexual violence as a war. On July 27, eight women were raped by Raia Mutomboki / Wazalendo Fighters in the village of Busolo in southern Kivu.
Worsen the humanitarian crisis
Increasing insecurity fuels what humanitarian workers describe as one of the most acute humanitarian crises in the world.
According to UN figures, more than 7.8 million people are now in -house (PDI) in eastern DRC – the highest figure ever recorded – while 28 million people are faced with food insecurity, including almost four million in emergency levels.
Adding to tension, more than 30,000 refugees from South Sudan have fled in the province of Ituri since April, escaping a wave of murders and active hostilities in the central state of Equatoria.
The world gastronomic program (Wfp) warned that the financing of deficits could soon force him to suspend rescue aid for hundreds of thousands.
Health services also collapse under pressure. In the first half of 2025, 33 attacks were recorded against health workers and establishments – an increase of 276% compared to the previous six months, according to the United Nations Reproductive Health Agency, Unfpa.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
