Amnesty International has accused M23 rebels in eastern Congo of committing abuses that could amount to war crimes, including the unlawful killing of miners and trafficking of critical minerals to neighboring Rwanda. The rebels reportedly control dozens of artisanal mines in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, where tens of thousands of miners extract minerals essential for global electronics.
Amnesty International's report, released Monday, details alleged crimes committed between January 2025 and March 2026, based on interviews with 26 individuals, including miners and civilians. The report specifically highlights abuses at a coltan mine near Rubaya in North Kivu and a gold mine in Lomera in South Kivu.
According to the report, 16 interviewees reported torture or mistreatment by M23 rebels or their security guards at the mines. Amnesty International documented abuses that may constitute crimes under international law, including summary killings, torture, arbitrary detention, forced labor, and pillage. The report also details the deaths of 18 artisanal miners at the Rubaya and Lomera mines, with witnesses and family members reporting that 10 were beaten to death, two were shot dead, and six abducted miners were later found dead.
Evidence suggests that gold mined in M23-controlled areas has been trafficked into Rwanda through smuggling routes. While the M23 and Rwandan authorities have not yet responded to requests for comment, United Nations experts, the United States, and the Congolese government have previously accused Rwanda of profiting from Congo's minerals in exchange for supporting the rebels, an accusation Rwanda denies.
Eastern Congo has a long history of conflict, with government forces and various armed groups, including M23, contributing to widespread violence and a severe humanitarian crisis. The Rubaya mine, a significant coltan extraction site, has been the scene of multiple tragedies, including a mine collapse in March that killed at least 200 people and a landslide in January that resulted in approximately 200 deaths. The Lomera gold mine also experienced a collapse last year, trapping miners.
Last year, Congo produced over half of the world's tantalum, derived from coltan and used in products like smartphones. The Rubaya mine alone accounted for about 15% of global production, according to Amnesty International. The country also exported more than 28 tons of gold during the same period.