Human Rights Watch has published a report revealing serious human rights abuses by the M23 armed group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Backed by Rwanda, M23 has forcibly recruited thousands of individuals and held them under harsh and inhumane conditions. This activity is part of a broader campaign as the group expands control over significant territories in a region long affected by conflict.
The resurgence of M23 since 2021 has severely disrupted stability in the Great Lakes area, causing widespread violations and worsening humanitarian conditions for local communities. Insights from Clémentine de Montjoye, a senior researcher on the region, shed light on the impact of these developments. The report underscores the critical need for attention to the escalating violence and its effects on civilians in the eastern DRC.