Civilian Killings Uncovered in Congo Supported by Rwandan Rebels

• M23 rebels killed at least 80 civilians in Congo.
• The government is recruiting young people to support the rebels.
• Peace talks in Qatar may be under threat.

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — According to reports from Congolese authorities, Rwandan-backed rebels have killed at least 80 people in eastern Congo in recent weeks, despite the ongoing peace negotiations taking place under the auspices of Qatar.

The Congolese army stated in its statement on Friday that it had documented a series of mass killings of civilians attributed to the RDF/M23 coalition in Southern Kivu, including the killing of 80 people on September 4 in the village of Nyabirongo and six civilians, including two minors, on July 24 in the village of Lumbishi.

The statement also indicates that the M23/AFC is engaging in the recruitment of young people, including minors, into their illegal organization.

Ongoing violence may jeopardize Qatar's efforts to achieve a signed permanent peace agreement between Congo and the rebels by September 18. One of the conditions of the agreement is the protection of civilians and the safe return of millions of people who have been forced to abandon their homes due to the conflict.

Earlier this month, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that M23 killed 319 people last month in the eastern part of the region, calling it one of the largest documented incidents of violence since the resumption of M23's activities in 2022.

M23 rejected these accusations, labeling the UN statement as "unsubstantiated and politically motivated." Laurent Kanyuka, a spokesperson for the Congolese-Rich Alliance, to which M23 belongs, called for the disclosure of independent investigations.

Earlier this year, M23 captured two key towns in eastern Congo, which significantly escalated the conflict over support from neighboring Rwandan forces. Congo has long suffered from deadly conflict in its rich eastern region, where there are about 100 armed groups.

On July 19, both sides signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to outline the framework for peace talks aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace agreement, which will include the withdrawal of state organs from key eastern areas controlled by insurgents.

Tags: Politics/Crime