Source: Amnesty International –
An armed group backed by the Congolese army (FARDC) has killed and tortured civilians, looted property, and abducted women as sexual slaves in Rutshuru territory in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Amnesty International said today.
The Collective of Movements for Change-People’s Defence Forces (CMC-FDP) is a member of the Wazalendo (“patriots” in Swahili), a loose coalition of armed groups that the Congolese army uses as proxy forces in its ongoing fight against the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement (M23). CMC-FDP operates primarily in the Bukombo area of Rutshuru, which is currently controlled by M23.
Civilians who live in and around Bukombo are trapped, caught between the brutality of M23 and CMC-FDP. What they are forced to endure on a daily basis is horrific, especially in remote areas where the CMC-FDP operates with complete impunity
Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa
CMC-FDP maintains remote bases in Bukombo and targets civilians, often at night, or in areas with few M23 fighters. After clashes with M23, CMC-FDP fighters have taken revenge on family members with perceived links to M23. These abuses against civilians violate international humanitarian law and could amount to war crimes.
“Civilians who live in and around Bukombo are trapped, caught between the brutality of M23 and CMC-FDP. What they are forced to endure on a daily basis is horrific, especially in remote areas where the CMC-FDP operates with complete impunity,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.
“DRC authorities often condemn M23 abuses, as they should, but ignore similar violence and abuses committed by Wazalendo, including the CMC-FDP. They are effectively sanctioning these crimes and shirking their responsibility to protect civilians and bring Wazalendo fighters to justice. International actors must press the DRC government to immediately cease support for these armed groups.”
Between March and April 2026, Amnesty International conducted remote interviews by secure phone applications with 16 victims, survivors, and family members of civilians killed, raped, tortured, abducted, or ill-treated by CMC-FDP fighters between June and December 2025. Amnesty International also received credible reports from human rights defenders of similar abuses in the area by the group, including summary killings and the burning of houses.
International actors must press the DRC government to immediately cease support for these armed groups.
Tigere Chagutah
Amnesty International wrote to CMC-FDP on 8 June 2026 sharing its findings and requesting information about the conduct of CMC-FDP commanders and fighters toward civilians in areas it controls. CMC-FDP spokesperson Héritier Donald Gashegu responded in writing on 16 June 2026. CMC-FDP denied responsibility for the abuses documented here and asserted that “CMC-FDP remains committed to respecting human rights and the discipline of its combatants.”