• UN report finds evidence of war crimes by M23 and Congolese forces.
• Atrocities include sexual violence, extrajudicial killings, and torture.
• Congo's military and Rwanda are implicated for supporting armed groups.

The United Nations has identified serious violations of human rights that may constitute war crimes in the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a report, UN Human Rights Office officials highlighted atrocities committed by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group as well as the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and other affiliated militia groups, indicating these acts may amount to crimes against humanity since late 2024, escalating in intensity following M23's takeover of Goma in January 2025 according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, AA, and Africa News.

The findings from the UN’s fact-finding mission noted that M23 rebels have engaged in systematic atrocities including summary executions, torture, enforced disappearances, and gang rapes aimed at degrading victims, primarily women. These actions exhibit a level of organization suggesting that the violations were not isolated incidents but part of a broader strategy of terror and control. The report called for accountability, highlighting the need for urgent measures to protect civilians caught in the crossfire, as stated by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk according to AA, and Africa News.

The report portrays the dire humanitarian impact of the conflict, with thousands of civilians affected and reports indicating widespread sexual violence, torture, and killings by both the M23 and DRC forces, compounded by the involvement of militia groups like Wazalendo. As the situation remains precarious, over 7 million people have been displaced due to the conflict, with calls for immediate international attention growing more urgent every day, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The UN has expressed particular concern over the role played by the governments of both Rwanda and the DRC in supporting armed groups known for their human rights abuses. These findings highlight a long history of violence and conflict in the region that has led to devastating consequences for civilians, prompting the UN to call for collective actions to uphold international humanitarian standards according to Africa News and AA.