M23 rebels accused of ‘war crimes’ in DRC

M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are reported on May 27th to have incited violence against civilian individuals, including torture, banishment and death, according to Al Jazeera, citing Amnesty International.

The reports came after an increase in violence which started in January, when Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized the city of Goma in North Kivu. M23 then went on to capture Bukavu in South Kivu in February, which resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands.

According to Amnesty, the civilians were packed into congested cells with a severe lack of hygiene, deprived of food, water, and medical care. Some individuals who were interviewed said that they had seen some die due to the conditions and acts of torture.

Al Jazeera, Amnesty International