Amnesty International reported on Monday that both the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) army and a Rwanda-backed militia have likely violated the rules of war by using explosives in areas populated by civilians. The rights group’s findings show that over 100 civilians were killed in eastern DRC during the first half of 2024, primarily due to the indiscriminate firing of ground-launched rockets.
Both the Congolese army and the M23 Movement, an armed group that claims to defend ethnic Tutsis, were responsible for the increased use of “inherently inaccurate” explosive weapons, according to Amnesty’s report.
Since it resurfaced in late 2021, the M23, supported by 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers, has captured significant portions of DRC’s mineral-rich eastern region, worsening the humanitarian crisis and displacing thousands. In response, the DRC’s military has launched counter-offensives with assistance from pro-Kinshasa militias to regain lost territory.
Amnesty’s report found that between January and July 2024, “inaccurate explosive weapons with wide area effects” were used more than 150 times in densely populated areas. These attacks, which resulted in over 100 civilian deaths and hundreds of injuries, are said to violate international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes.
The rights group urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the attacks as war crimes and hold those responsible accountable. Amnesty also pointed out that the Congolese authorities appear unwilling or unable to take action. The ICC announced last year that it was reopening its investigation into the conflict.
Despite Amnesty’s preliminary findings being published in December 2023, neither the DRC nor the M23 leadership had responded by the time of the latest report. “The M23 and Congo’s army must stop bombing civilians immediately,” said Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General.
Despite efforts led by Angola to end the fighting, clashes have intensified in recent weeks. On Saturday evening, the M23 gained control of the mining town of Lumbishi in South Kivu. The eastern DRC has been plagued by conflict for over three decades, with multiple rival armed groups and ethnic militias operating in the region.
