```html DR Congo: M23 Rebels Accused of Killing 140 Civilians Despite Peace Efforts At least 140 civilians were allegedly killed by the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) last month, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The killings occurred despite ongoing regional and international peace initiatives aimed at ending the long-running conflict in the mineral-rich region.

Massacre Allegedly Targeted Hutu Civilians The HRW report, released on Wednesday, details how M23 rebels allegedly "summarily executed" local residents, including women and children, primarily from the Hutu ethnic group, in the Rutshuru area near Virunga National Park. Witnesses told HRW that the rebels used machetes and gunfire in attacks across at least 14 villages and farming areas between 10 and 30 July. The M23 has not yet responded to the specific allegations in the HRW report. However, the group has previously denied any involvement in similar killings, dismissing such accusations as a "blatant misrepresentation of the facts."

UN Findings Corroborate HRW Report The alleged massacre appears to have taken place during an M23 campaign against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed Hutu group formed by individuals implicated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. HRW suggests the total number of killings in July may exceed 300, aligning with earlier findings by the United Nations. Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 has intensified since January, with the rebels capturing significant portions of eastern DR Congo, including the strategic city of Goma. The ongoing conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians, according to UN estimates.

Eyewitness Accounts Paint a Horrific Picture The HRW report includes harrowing accounts from witnesses who described the brutality of the attacks. One man recounted how five members of his family were killed, while a woman described witnessing her husband's murder by machete-wielding rebels. She also stated that she and other women and children were shot at and left for dead. Locals also reported being ordered to bury the bodies immediately or leave them unburied. "M23 fighters also threw bodies, including of women and children, into the Rutshuru River," the report stated.

Accusations of Rwandan Support HRW, citing 25 witness accounts and information from medical workers, military personnel, and UN officials, alleges that members of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) supported the M23 operation. Earlier this month, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights also reported that the RDF had supported the M23 in the killings of "at least 319 between 9 and 21 July in four villages in Rutshuru." Rwanda has strongly denied these accusations, calling them "gratuitous" and "sensational allegations" that risk undermining the peace process. Kigali argues that the killings were carried out by an armed group opposed to the M23.

Historical Context and Regional Tensions The conflict in eastern DR Congo is deeply rooted in regional history and ethnic tensions. Rwanda has long viewed the presence of the FDLR in eastern DR Congo as a security threat. The M23, largely composed of ethnic Tutsis, claims to be defending the interests of the Tutsi population in the region. The situation is further complicated by the abundance of valuable minerals in the area, which has fueled conflict and exploitation for decades. According to Dr. Stephanie Wolters, a Senior Research Fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs, "The persistent allegations of Rwandan support for the M23 highlight the complex and interconnected security dynamics in the Great Lakes region. Addressing the root causes of the conflict requires not only military solutions but also a concerted effort to address historical grievances and promote inclusive governance."

Stalled Peace Efforts and Calls for Action The recent violence comes amid stalled regional and international peace efforts. While a ceasefire agreement was signed between the M23 and the DR Congo government in Qatar last month, the M23 recently withdrew from peace talks, accusing Kinshasa of failing to meet its commitments. The Congolese army has also accused the M23 of violating the ceasefire. HRW is urging the UN Security Council, the European Union, and individual governments to condemn the abuses in eastern DR Congo, impose sanctions on those responsible, and press for the arrest and prosecution of commanders implicated in the conflict. Professor Pierre Englebert, a Professor of African Politics at Pomona College, emphasizes the need for stronger international pressure. "The international community must hold all actors accountable for their actions in eastern DR Congo. Without a clear commitment to justice and accountability, the cycle of violence will continue to plague the region."

Related Topics

What's the fighting in DR Congo all about? DR Congo: M23 rebels suspend peace talks with DR Congo government

```