A damning United Nations report released accuses armed groups and government forces of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the brutal conflict that has ravaged eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with investigators finding evidence of systematic sexual violence, forced recruitment of child soldiers, and mass executions.
The UN Human Rights Office’s Fact-Finding Mission documented “gross human rights violations” by all parties between January and July 2025, including the M23 rebel group backed by Rwandan forces, Congolese government troops, and affiliated militias during fighting that culminated in M23’s capture of the strategic city of Goma.
“The atrocities described in this report are horrific,” said Ravina Shamdasani, UN Human Rights spokesperson. “It is heartbreaking and deeply frustrating to witness, once again, the dehumanisation of the civilian population.”
Pattern of Terror and Control
The 200-page report reveals M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda’s Defence Forces, engaged in what investigators called “a campaign of intimidation and violent repression” through systematic torture, summary executions, enforced disappearances, and forced recruitment targeting anyone perceived as opposing the group.
Most shocking were findings of widespread sexual violence carried out by M23 members, “mainly in the form of gang rape, including sexual slavery.” The report documents how women and girls were disproportionately targeted, though men, boys, and LGBT individuals also fell victim to sexual violence, including in detention facilities.
“Rapes were repeated over prolonged periods, often in conjunction with additional acts of physical and psychological torture,” the report states, finding the violence was designed “to degrade, punish, and break the dignity of victims.”
Hundreds of children were detained by M23, with young males forcibly recruited into combat roles. The violations “followed discernible, recurring patterns, indicating a high degree of organisation, planning, and resource mobilisation,” investigators found.
State Responsibility
The UN report directly implicates Rwanda in the violence, finding the country bears responsibility for violations committed by its armed forces on Congolese territory. Investigators received “credible allegations concerning the covert presence” of Rwandan Defence Force personnel embedded within M23 ranks.
Congolese forces and allied Wazalendo militia groups also committed grave violations, including deliberate killing of civilians and widespread sexual violence during their retreat from front lines in early 2025. The report documents how these groups recruited children under 15 and used them in combat, with girls also exploited for sexual purposes.
International Implications
The findings carry significant legal weight, with investigators stating they have “reasonable grounds to believe” M23 members committed crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, rape, sexual slavery, enforced disappearance, and forcible population transfer.
Both the DRC and Rwanda face criticism for supporting armed groups “with known track records of serious abuses” while failing to protect civilians from serious harm as required under international law.
The report comes as the international community grapples with how to respond to the escalating crisis in eastern Congo, where millions have been displaced by decades of conflict. A peace agreement signed between the DRC and Rwanda in June notably lacked provisions for accountability or victim support, the UN noted.
“It is imperative to promptly and independently investigate all allegations of violations with a view to ensuring accountability and victims’ right to truth, justice and reparations,” Shamdasani emphasised.
The findings will serve as the foundation for a broader Commission of Inquiry mandated to investigate events since 2022, potentially paving the way for international prosecution of those responsible for the documented atrocities.
