A comprehensive UN human rights report issued on Friday has alarmingly confirmed that all factions involved in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) North and South Kivu provinces have engaged in actions that may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. The findings were detailed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Fact-Finding Mission, which has been closely monitoring the situation.

The report outlines a series of severe violations perpetrated by the M23 rebel group, which is allegedly supported by Rwanda, the DRC’s own armed forces (FARDC), and affiliated militias, including the Wazalendo. Since 2021, M23's military activities have led to significant civilian displacements and deaths. The FARDC, in turn, has been implicated in collaborating with militias to conduct attacks on civilians, highlighting an alarming pattern of ethnically motivated violence.

According to the OHCHR, the M23 has been responsible for summary executions, torture, enforced disappearances, and notably, systematic sexual violence such as gang rape aimed at humiliating and instilling fear among civilians. There are credible claims that these rebels were trained and operationally supported by Rwanda’s military, an accusation that Rwanda has consistently denied.

Similarly, the DRC’s government-aligned forces have not been exempt from criticism, facing allegations of rape, civilian murders, and looting. The report emphasizes the urgent need for both the Congolese and Rwandan governments to adhere strictly to international laws and to withdraw support for armed groups causing havoc in the region.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed his distress over the findings, stating, “The atrocities described in this report are horrific... The swift implementation of the Commission of Inquiry mandated by the Human Rights Council to continue this vital work is essential. We owe no less to the untold number of victims.”

Further recommendations from the OHCHR include the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry (COI) for the affected provinces, to support ongoing investigations and assist international tribunals like the International Criminal Court (ICC) in addressing these serious allegations. The DRC, being a signatory to the Geneva Conventions, is obligated to prosecute those responsible for committing war crimes.

This harrowing report not only sheds light on the dire human rights situation in Eastern DRC but also calls for immediate international action to prevent further atrocities and hold the perpetrators accountable. The global community watches as developments unfold, hoping for justice and peace in the troubled region.