HRW Report Alleges M23 Conducts Forced Recruitment and Detentions in Eastern DRC

A Human Rights Watch report released on Wednesday alleges that the M23 armed group has forcibly recruited thousands of individuals in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and detained them under inhumane conditions. The findings come as the anti-government faction continues to expand its control over territory in a region that has endured conflict for more than three decades.

The report characterises the M23 as a Rwanda-backed group that has seized vast swathes of land since re-emerging in 2021. According to the organisation, fighters associated with the group have subjected detained recruits to abuse, though the specific nature of these conditions and the precise number of those affected are not detailed in the summary provided.

Clémentine de Montjoye, a senior Great Lakes researcher at Human Rights Watch, provided commentary on the report’s findings to FRANCE 24. The organisation’s documentation highlights the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the east, where the M23’s territorial gains have coincided with allegations of systematic rights violations against civilians and conscripts.

The eastern DRC has been plagued by instability for over 30 years, with various armed groups vying for control. The re-emergence of the M23 in 2021 marked a significant escalation in the conflict, leading to the displacement of populations and the seizure of strategic areas. The current report adds to the growing body of evidence regarding the group’s operational methods and its impact on local communities.

As the conflict persists, the allegations of forced recruitment and detention raise further concerns about the governance and human rights landscape in the region. The report underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the DRC government and international observers in addressing the activities of the Rwanda-backed faction.