The M23 rebel group, a key faction within the AFC rebel alliance, has firmly denied allegations made by Human Rights Watch (HRW) accusing them of detaining, threatening, and attacking journalists and civil society activists in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a report released on March 12, 2025, HRW claimed that since capturing the cities of Goma and Bukavu in January, the M23 and AFC have carried out a targeted campaign to silence dissent. The organization alleged that journalists and activists who have criticized the group’s actions have been subjected to intimidation and violence.
“Restoring a measure of normalcy to the captured cities of Goma and Bukavu will mean allowing journalists and civil society activists to do their jobs without threats, violence, or worse,” stated Clémentine de Montjoye, a senior Great Lakes researcher at Human Rights Watch.
In a strongly worded statement, the AFC/M23 dismissed HRW’s accusations as “unfounded” and an attempt to mislead the public.
“We categorically reject the unfounded allegations presented in Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) report dated March 12, 2025. This publication is a blatant attempt to spread false information, mislead the public, and serve the interests of the Kinshasa regime,” said AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka.
The group further challenged HRW to present tangible evidence supporting its claims, arguing that the organization’s credibility is compromised due to its alleged connections with the DRC government.
“Our organization has never arrested, intimidated, or persecuted any journalist or activist. We challenge HRW to provide concrete evidence supporting its claims. Given its well-documented ties to the Kinshasa regime, HRW’s credibility is highly questionable,” the statement read.
The M23 insisted that it has always upheld press freedom, asserting that journalists are free to work in areas under their control without interference.
“The AFC/M23 has always upheld press freedom and remains open to both national and international journalists. Media professionals are free to operate within liberated areas without restrictions, censorship, or imposed narratives. We strongly believe in transparency and the fundamental right of journalists to report independently,” the group stated.
Additionally, the AFC/M23 addressed the killing of popular musician Indego. Reiterating their earlier statement from February 13, 2025, they claimed that his death resulted from internal conflicts among the Wazalendo militia and the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC).
“We stated that his killing resulted from internal conflicts among different factions of the Wazalendo militia and the FARDC, a fact that some media outlets have deliberately ignored in favor of misleading narratives,” the statement clarified.
The AFC/M23 has been actively expanding its territorial control in eastern DRC. The group continues to accuse President Félix Tshisekedi’s government of governance failures and the persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese communities.
As tensions persist, the claims and counterclaims between the rebels and human rights organizations highlight the ongoing complexity of the conflict in the DRC. The international community will likely continue to monitor the situation closely as efforts for peace and stability in the region remain uncertain.
