In the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo a deadly attack carried out by rebel forces left more than a hundred civilians dead this week. Reports from government and civil society leaders confirm the toll near the town of Rutshuru where the violence occurred.
Officials described the massacre as taking place over two days, Tuesday and Wednesday. A regional civil society leader from North Kivu said by telephone that more than 120 people were killed by the M23 group. The claim was reported as authorities in Kinshasa faced the grim task of tallying casualties and guiding relief efforts.
President Felix Tshisekedi, announced at a cabinet meeting, that the death toll exceeded a hundred. The figure reflects a higher impact than initial estimates released by the Congolese armed forces earlier in the week.
Authorities criticized the Luanda mini-summit for failing to lead to a clear military withdrawal from the battlefield or a reduction in hostilities. A spokesperson for the FARDC faulted the summit and stressed the ongoing threat posed by armed groups supported by external actors, referencing commitments that were not observed on the ground.
Kinshasa has pointed to the meeting in Angola as a forum where the African Union was asked to mediate. The government contends that despite the mediation effort the fighting persisted, undermining assurances given to the international community.
Rwandan officials have denied direct involvement. A United Nations expert report circulated last year suggested collaboration with rebel groups, an assertion Kigali rejects. The government of Congo and its partners have pressed for independent investigations to determine responsibility for the violence and potential war crimes.
During the latest discussions in Kinshasa, both President Tshisekedi and the Rwandan foreign minister urged an immediate end to fighting with a deadline set for Friday at sunset local time, but clashes resumed soon after the deadline passed.
In response to the massacre, President Tshisekedi declared national mourning for three days starting on the weekend. Catholic Church processions were held in Kinshasa and other cities as communities called for an end to the violence and for justice to be done.
Muyaya, the government spokesman, said the justice ministry would launch an internal probe without delay and would support an international inquiry to clarify possible war crimes. The aim is to uncover the facts and ensure accountability for those responsible.
The United Nations and Amnesty International also called for a thorough investigation and condemned the acts of violence. Both bodies emphasized the need for transparency and cooperation from all parties involved to protect civilians and uphold humanitarian law.
Rebel spokespeople rejected the casualty figures, stating that only eight civilians died in the attack they conducted. The discrepancy underscores the difficulty in obtaining reliable information from frontline areas amid ongoing fighting.
The M23 movement emerged in 2012 when Congolese soldiers rebelled after their commander lost political power and faced prosecution at the International Criminal Court. The group has faced accusations of violating the 23 March 2009 peace agreement that initially named the organization and facilitated various political negotiations.
Historically, the M23 alliance demanded renegotiation of the peace terms and the integration of its fighters into the national army to improve conditions for its members. The CNDP, a group formed in 2006 to fight against the forces of the neighboring region, and the FDLR, established by exiled leaders, have long been involved in a complex web of regional conflicts in the area and have affected stability across eastern Congo.
After a period of inactivity the M23 resurfaced last year, displacing hundreds of thousands of people according to the latest data from the United Nations. The humanitarian impact remains severe as fighting has displaced many residents and affected essential services. Recent clashes occurred not far from a major city in North Kivu that has been a strategic target in the broader conflict.
Eastern Congo continues to suffer a protracted conflict driven by rebel militias and state forces, even with the presence of the United Nations peacekeeping mission. The region remains fragile, with humanitarian agencies calling for safe access to affected communities and urgent protection for civilians caught in the crossfire.