Witnesses told Human Rights Watch (HRW) that on the afternoon of February 22, at least "three pickup trucks carrying dozens of M23 fighters arrived at various points in the Kasika neighborhood of Goma."
That day, seven people were executed west of the Katindo military barracks, a former Congolese army camp. The bodies of 11 others were found at a construction site near the barracks.
On February 23, fighters rounded up people, including for forced recruitment, and killed three men who were trying to escape.
"The M23's brutal control over Goma has created a climate of fear among those seen as allies of the Congolese government," said Clémentine de Montjoye, HRW's senior researcher for the Great Lakes region.
According to HRW, "the lack of reports of fighting between the parties involved and the nature of the injuries indicate that M23 deliberately executed detainees, which constitutes a war crime."
Between February and May, the NGO interviewed 22 people remotely, including witnesses to the executions, relatives of the victims, and health professionals.
Three health professionals said that more than 50 bodies were collected from the Kasika area between February 22 and 23, which is consistent with information provided by residents and other sources.
The researchers also analyzed media reports, photographs, and videos sent directly by sources or found on social media, and geolocated and verified them.
On May 23, the NGO contacted Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for M23's Alliance Fleuve Congo, but received no response.
HRW calls for the criminal accountability of commanders and fighters who ordered or committed abuses.
The NGO says the clashes in eastern DR Congo between the M23, Rwandan forces, the Congolese army and allied armed groups have exposed the civilian population to serious crimes committed by all sides, including summary executions, sexual violence, forced displacement and looting.
In October 2024, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court announced that his office would resume investigations in the DR Congo, Angola's neighbour, focusing on crimes committed in North Kivu since January 2022.
HRW argues that the investigation should include the executions of civilians in Goma carried out by the M23.
"The government of Rwanda, as the main supporter of the M23, may be complicit in the war crimes committed by this armed group," said Clémentine de Montjoye.
"Governments committed to negotiating peace between the parties must press Rwanda to cease support for M23 and ensure that justice for serious crimes is a priority," Montjoye concluded.
