Amnesty Accuses M23 of Killings and Forced Labour in Congo Mines

Amnesty International has accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of serious abuses against miners in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including alleged killings, torture and forced labour.

The rights organisation said the reported abuses could amount to war crimes. Its allegations concern mining areas in North Kivu and South Kivu, where it says M23 controls dozens of artisanal mines.

Alleged killings at mining sites

Amnesty said it interviewed 26 people and documented the alleged killing of 18 miners at the Rubaya coltan mine and the Lomera gold mine. The source material does not provide dates for the alleged incidents, and the claims have not been independently verified.

Workers at the sites extract gold and coltan, minerals that are essential to the global electronics industry. The conflict in eastern Congo has devastated communities across the region, according to the rights group.

Claims over mineral smuggling

Amnesty International also alleged that gold and coltan from areas under M23 control are being smuggled into neighbouring Rwanda.

M23 and Rwandan authorities did not respond to Amnesty’s requests for comment. Rwanda has previously denied accusations that it profits from Congo’s minerals or supports the rebels.

The allegations place renewed attention on the conditions facing miners in eastern Congo and on the movement of minerals from areas affected by conflict. Amnesty’s account links the reported abuses to mining operations in both Kivu provinces, but the available information does not establish the allegations as independently confirmed facts.