The UN Human Rights Office said on Friday that armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including M23 rebels and government forces, committed serious violations that may amount to war crimes, citing killings, rapes and torture.
The UN Human Rights Office has accused multiple parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s ongoing conflict of committing atrocities that could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
According to its Fact-Finding Mission, the Rwandan-backed rebel group M23, the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), and affiliated militias such as the Wazalendo have carried out widespread violations of international humanitarian law since fighting escalated in late 2023.
Abuses detailed
The report cites summary executions, enforced disappearances, and systematic sexual violence as key violations. It states that M23 fighters used rape, including gang rape, to punish and degrade victims, mainly women.
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, described the findings as “horrific” and urged accountability.
M23 seized Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, in January and advanced further across North and South Kivu. Thousands have been killed this year, and hundreds of thousands displaced, in a region that is rich in minerals such as tin, gold and coltan.
Rwanda’s role
The UN report said M23 received training and operational support from Rwanda’s Defence Forces, alleging covert RDF involvement. Kigali has denied backing M23, insisting its troops only defend against Congolese forces and Hutu militias tied to the 1994 genocide.
M23 itself has also rejected accusations of atrocities.
Government abuses
The UN said Congo’s army and pro-government militias were also implicated in grave abuses, including killings, looting and sexual violence against civilians.
Stalled peace efforts
Mediation by Qatar led to a declaration of principles signed in July, with both sides pledging to pursue peace talks in August. However, the deadline passed without progress, leaving the conflict unresolved.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday urged U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in the escalating Gulf conflict, warning that...
The Middle East conflict has entered a new phase, with Israel expanding its operations into southern Lebanon and tensions with Iran escalating.&nbs...
Imports of industrial goods into Kyrgyzstan surged in January 2026, driven by a construction boom and the modernisation of production capacity, wit...
Russia has expelled a British diplomat, accusing him of economic espionage in a move that further strains already tense relations between Moscow an...
Georgia’s Minister of Economy, Mariam Kvrivishvili, met UK Ambassador Gareth Edward Ward in Tbilisi on 27–28 March to discuss trade, in...
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday urged U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in the escalating Gulf conflict, warning that only he could prevent it from spreading further.
Russia has expelled a British diplomat, accusing him of economic espionage in a move that further strains already tense relations between Moscow and London. The United Kingdom described the action as intimidation and rejected the allegations outright, Reuters reports.
Japan’s growing interest in Caspian crude reflects a pragmatic response to uncertainty in global energy markets and its continued reliance on the Middle East for more than 90% of its oil imports.
The escalation of conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran since 28 February 2026 has moved beyond a regional security crisis to become a systemic shock to the global economy and our pockets.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the U.S is in talks with the new Iranian regime. He said this in a post on his Truth Social account but warned that the U.S. will "Obliterate" Iran's electric and oil facilities if no deal is reached, especially regarding the Strait of Hormuz closure.
Cuba and the United States have been at odds for more than six decades, with tensions rooted in the 1959 revolution that transformed the island’s political and economic system. Renewed focus on relations comes as Donald Trump’s rhetoric intensifies and conditions on the island worsen.
NASA is aiming to launch its Artemis 2 mission on Wednesday (1 April), sending astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon, officials confirmed. According to the Space Administration, the launch window is due to open at 23:24 GMT, with additional opportunities to 6 April if delays occur.
The four astronauts selected for NASA’s Artemis II mission have arrived in Florida, entering the final phase of preparations for the first crewed journey towards the Moon in more than five decades
Iranian Military Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Zulfiqari has warned that American soldiers will become 'food for sharks' if U.S. President Donald Trump launches ground attacks against Iran. The threat comes after the U.S. military said it was deploying thousands of Marines to the region.
Russia has expelled a British diplomat, accusing him of economic espionage in a move that further strains already tense relations between Moscow and London. The United Kingdom described the action as intimidation and rejected the allegations outright, Reuters reports.
Two sailboats carrying humanitarian aid from Mexico arrived safely in Havana on Saturday, the Mexican Navy said, concluding a journey in which the vessels were delayed by bad weather and briefly reported missing.
China imposed sanctions on Japanese lawmaker Keiji Furuya on Monday, who is a close aide of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, due to his "collusion with Taiwan independence" forces, in its latest move in a diplomatic row over Taiwan.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he talked about a possible security partnership on Sunday with Jordan's King Abdullah over defending against drone attacks amid rising tensions over the Iran conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he had "no problem" with any country sending crude to Cuba as a Russian tanker neared a Cuban port with a badly needed shipment, signalling he was reversing course on blocking oil shipments to the country on Sunday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment