M23 Rebels Claim to Be Conscripting Surrendered Congolese Soldiers.

Kinshasa, DR Congo – The M23 rebel group, which has been seizing territory in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), claims it is conscripting thousands of Congolese soldiers who have surrendered to its forces. This comes amid growing violence that has resulted in the deaths of over 7,000 people this year, according to estimates from the Congolese government.

The M23, widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, has been advancing rapidly across eastern DRC, capturing strategic locations and forcing government troops to retreat. As the fighting intensifies, Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of fueling the conflict by providing military and logistical support to the rebels—an allegation that Kigali denies.

In a recent statement, M23 rebels claimed that many Congolese soldiers who surrendered to them are now being integrated into their ranks. The extent to which these soldiers are joining voluntarily or under coercion remains unclear, raising concerns about forced recruitment and the possible use of former government troops against their own country.

The ongoing conflict has displaced thousands of civilians, with humanitarian organizations warning of an escalating crisis. Efforts to broker peace through regional diplomacy have so far yielded little success, as fighting continues to spread across North Kivu province.

The international community has called for an immediate ceasefire and urged both the Congolese government and M23 to engage in meaningful dialogue. However, with the rebels strengthening their grip on eastern DRC, the crisis remains far from resolution.

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