UN experts call for end to alleged M23 abuses in DR Congo

United Nations experts appealed on Tuesday for an end to what they called a reign of terror imposed by the M23 armed group in the Democratic Republic of Congo, citing civilian reports of sexual torture and murder.

The experts said rape, gang rape, violent assault and killings of civilians were common features of M23's conduct. They said such crimes were not exclusive to M23, but that the number of people affected was staggering and must end.

The experts cited UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as reporting more than 90,000 cases of sexual violence related to armed conflict in DR Congo in 2025.

They said M23 had established de-facto authority in areas under its control, using arbitrary arrest and detention, torture including sexual torture, forced labour and forced armed recruitment to control civilians. They also said local people had reported abductions, arson and blackmail.

People arbitrarily arrested were being held in overcrowded and unsanitary unofficial prisons, where they were systematically deprived of food, water and medical care, the experts said. They said inmates had reported repeated physical violence, including daily beatings, and said several detainees had died in custody. In many cases, detainees were released only if relatives paid, according to the experts.

The experts called for a thorough investigation of the violence and said all parties to the conflict should respect international law and protect civilians. They also called for the revival of a US-mediated ceasefire signed in December 2025 between the Rwandan-backed M23 and the DRC government.

The source says M23 has taken control of large areas of eastern DR Congo since its resurgence in 2021. Eastern DR Congo has major reserves of gold, tin and coltan and has faced decades of conflict involving many countries and armed groups. The ceasefire deal includes a provision for US industries to gain privileged access to the region's mineral wealth.

The experts are mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but do not speak on behalf of the UN itself. They said they were in contact with the governments of the DRC and Rwanda.