The Tactics Institute for Security and Counter-Terrorism is gravely troubled by the deepening crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo‘s eastern part, where Rwanda-supported M23 rebel group advanced further into South Kivu, following their Goma siege in North Kivu. This attack resulted in a never-before humanitarian and security tragedy, which serious human rights abuses and displacement have marked.
Since early 2025, M23 insurgents—allegedly backed by the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF)—have captured the city of Goma, leaving at least 900 civilians killed, including children, in line with UN accounts. The UN reported summary killings, sexual and gender-based violence related to conflicts, and targeted destruction of internally displaced persons’ camps during the siege. Increasing hostilities have displaced over 237,000 people from their homes since 2025 alone, on top of the already 4.6 million internally displaced people in the Kivu provinces.
The humanitarian situation further worsens as M23 moves towards Bukavu in South Kivu. The UN has threatened to face an unfolding health crisis from the outbreak of mpox, cholera, and measles due to mass displacement and inadequate medical attention.
The Tactics Institute condemns, in the strongest terms, reports of child executions by M23 upon their arrival in Bukavu. Credible reports also include child and forced recruitment, arbitrary detention, conflict-related sexual violence, and intimidation. Shockingly, Congolese young men who were displaced from the violence have been subjected to forced returns and degrading treatment in other countries.
The recent prison breaks from Kabare and Bukavu central prisons on February 14 have further intensified security concerns. Victims and witnesses involved in trials against some escapees—convicted of grave human rights violations—have requested protection, fearing retaliation. Human rights activists, journalists, and members of civil society who opposed Rwanda and M23’s activities now receive threats, and many have been forced to flee.
The Tactics Institute appeals to Rwanda and M23 to halt hostilities forthwith and comply with international humanitarian and human rights law. Protection of the civilians, including children, has to be paramount to all actors, and access of displaced people to adequate humanitarian relief has to be facilitated. Children’s recruitment and sexual violence as a tactic of war must be categorically rejected and prevented.
We also call on Rwanda to pull its backing for M23 and pledge its support to regional peace processes under the Luanda and Nairobi platforms. The United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, and the international community, in general, have an obligation to mount additional diplomatic pressure on Rwanda to end its destabilizing presence in eastern DRC.
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner of Human Rights, has been right to warn of the “frighteningly real” risk of further destabilization in the region. The Tactics Institute shares these concerns and calls for immediate action by the international community to nip the crisis before it spirals into a full-blown regional war. Indifference and silence will only give encouragement to the perpetrators and deepen the agony of civilians.
