EYESON CONGO 
The civil society groups in North Kivu province have released a concerning statement detailing the atrocities perpetrated by the M23/AFC in regions they oversee. Since January 1, 2025, until now, the territorial and urban coordination entities of this civic organization have estimated that over 11,000 individuals have lost their lives due to this rebellion. This evaluation was shared during a meeting of the leaders of these coordination bodies, which took place in Oïcha, the capital of the Beni territory, on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
In the course of this meeting, attendees depicted a bleak overview of the existing circumstances in the province, condemning a significant decline in socio-security and humanitarian conditions. This decline is evident through a number of severe violations.
Pépin Kavota, representing civil society in North Kivu, elaborated on the reported abuses: “Incursions, deliberate killings of civil society members, torture and murders, as well as forced recruitment in training centers controlled by M23 under the AFC/RDF. There are also threats to traditional leaders and ongoing land disputes in regions held by the rebels.”
While civil society recognizes a relative, though fragile, calm in the Beni territory since January, it underscores a notable decline in conditions in other regions of the province. Specific statistics have been presented to demonstrate the extent of the violence:
- In Lubero territory, there have been 1,523 reported massacres since 2023, with 187 occurring since the start of 2025, and 144 in areas controlled by the M23/AFC/RDF;
- From January to May 2025, over 200 civilians lost their lives due to the actions of the M23/AFC/RDF in Rutshuru, and 76 in Masisi;
- The city of Goma and Nyiragongo territory experienced 9,600 fatalities and 3,500 injuries related to weapons during the same timeframe. These numbers contribute to the extensive human toll from various incidents, including over 3,000 injuries in Goma during its occupation by the M23, along with numerous homes destroyed, including the central prison in Goma.
Civil society is also raising alarms about instances of kidnapping and the forced recruitment of youth from Rutshuru, Goma, Nyiragongo, and Masisi. These young individuals are reportedly subjected to a slow death in the training facilities of Rumangabo and Tchanzu, which civil society has characterized as “true death centers” under M23 control.
Civil society in North Kivu calls upon Congolese negotiators, whether in Doha or Washington, to prioritize the welfare of the Congolese people in their negotiations.
