Fri Sep 05 11:08:40 UTC 2025: **UN Report Alleges War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity in Eastern DRC, Calls for Accountability**

**Geneva, Switzerland** – A new United Nations report has uncovered evidence suggesting that war crimes and crimes against humanity may have been committed by all sides in the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The report, compiled by the UN Human Rights Office, details horrific atrocities allegedly perpetrated by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia, the Congolese military, and affiliated armed groups since late 2024.

The investigation, focused on North and South Kivu provinces, revealed widespread abuses including summary executions, rampant sexual violence, torture, and enforced disappearances. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned the violence, stating, “The atrocities described in this report are horrific,” and emphasizing the urgent need for accountability for the victims.

The report specifically highlights the M23 group, noting evidence that the ethnic Tutsi-led militia committed crimes against humanity, including systematic sexual violence intended to “degrade, punish, and break the dignity of victims.” The UN also alleges that the M23 receives training and operational support from the Rwandan Defence Forces, a claim Rwanda has repeatedly denied.

Furthermore, the report implicates the DRC armed forces and pro-government militias like the Wazalendo in serious violations, including gang rape, deliberate killings of civilians, and looting.

The conflict in eastern DRC has been raging for decades, fueled by the presence of numerous armed groups and regional tensions. The resurgence of the M23 in late 2021 has exacerbated the situation, leading to a spiraling humanitarian crisis with thousands killed and an estimated seven million people displaced.

The report comes after a separate UN report in August revealed that over 17,000 victims of sexual violence sought treatment in eastern DRC between January and May 2024 alone.

Despite mediation efforts led by Qatar, a peace deal between the DRC government and the M23 rebels, initially targeted for August, remains elusive. The UN report underscores the urgency of finding a lasting solution to the conflict and ensuring that perpetrators of these heinous crimes are held accountable.

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