The grimness of the political climate in Eastern Congo is increasing. Since the M23 rebel movement supported by Rwanda has strengthened its grip over the region at the beginning of this year, dissidents, activists and journalists have been confronted with an unprecedented harsh reality. Death threats, arrests and murders are the order of the day, according to a New report from Human Rights Watch. The human rights organization warns that without a free press an active civil society in Eastern Congo remains an illusion.
The M23 rebels have been in control of Goma and Bukavu in a short time. Since then, an estimated 7,000 people have been killed in fighting in the region and more than 450,000 people have been displaced. Repression follows in the wake of that violence. “The goal is clear: to silence civil society and prevent independent studies,” explains Clémentine de Montjoye, senior researcher at HRW for the Africa region. “M23 officials literally say to people:” We know who you are, we know what you are doing and you are against us. We’ll come for you. “
Goma and Bukavu had become active again since M23 at the end of 2021, and has become a refuge for journalists and human rights activists. De Montjoye: “Now they are stuck there, without safe way out. They do not feel safe to flee to Rwanda, and the airport is closed. Many are in hiding, while M23 fighters visit their houses. They live in fear and silence. “
Political settlement
The murder of the Congolese singer and activist Delphin Katembo Vinywasiki, aka Delcat IdenGo, illustrates the fear culture that prevails in Eastern Congo. On February 13, he was shot by M23 fighters in his house because he had ties with Lutte Pour le Changement (Lucha), a youth movement that fights for the protection of human rights.
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Human Rights Watch based her research on interviews with more than twenty Congolese activists and both domestic and foreign journalists in Goma, Kinshasa and Bujumbura. In addition, the organization analyzed audio recordings of telephone conversations, screenshots of threatening messages and video images of speeches from M23 leaders.
One of those testimonies comes from a resident of Goma, who shared his story anonymously: “They hit me with sticks on my back all day. I can’t walk anymore. They beat me, attacked and robbed my house. ” His experience is no exception. Since January, more than two hundred activists have sought protection.
Suppression of the press is also a fixed pattern in the new M23 regime. Journalists are intimidated and put under pressure to only publish favorable reporting. “M23 tries to suppress critical reporting systematically,” says De Montjoye. Lawyer executions, rape, looting and random shelling by M23, often with the knowledge of Kigali, who could document HRW, rarely get the (mainstream) media, the organization says.
The ruthless advance of M23 has more emphatically uncovered the ambiguous role of Rwanda on the world stage. On the one hand it presents itself as a stable ally in the region, on the other hand it is complicit to serious human rights violations. Because Rwanda, which supports the M23 with weapons and men in Eastern Congo, is actively involved in the oppression of critical voices, according to HRW.
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This is evident, among other things, from the arrest in February of a Congolese activist who had crossed the border. Rwandan authorities handed him out to M23, who held him for seven days. According to the Montjoye, this incident does not stand on its own.
Geopolitical indifference
Human Rights Watch criticizes the geopolitical indifference about the war in Eastern Congo and mainly looks at the European Union and its member states, who have been maintaining close ties with Rwanda for years. The organization calls on them to take responsibility and impose targeted sanctions on high Rwandan officials involved in the abuses. In addition, HRW insists that the EU reconsider the mineral agreement concluded in 2023 with Rwanda.
According to the Montjoye, the EU could use its influence much more effectively. “There are guidelines for the protection of human rights defenders, but so far the EU has mainly expressed concern.”
In the meantime, the Congolese government also contributes to the climate of fear. JustitiMinister Constant Mutamba even went so far to warn journalists who spread ‘wrong’ information, possibly even the death penalty. In January, media watchdog CSAC threatened with sanctions against international channels such as RFI and France 24.