Overview

• The UN Human Rights Office confirmed that Rwanda-backed M23 rebels killed at least 319 civilians, including women and children, in four Rutshuru territory villages between July 9 and 21.
• Volker Türk described the violence as one of the largest death tolls since M23’s 2022 resurgence and condemned the breach of the June 19 Doha ceasefire declaration.
• The attacks highlight the repeated failure of truce mechanisms negotiated in Doha and under a Washington economic agreement signed by the DRC government and Rwanda.
• Backed by Rwandan forces, M23 has seized key territories and cities since 2021, fueling a spiraling humanitarian crisis and displacing millions in eastern DRC.
• International actors are demanding accountability and urgent implementation of ceasefire commitments to safeguard civilians and salvage the peace process ahead of the August 18 deadline.