The Government of Rwanda has strongly dismissed reports by Human Rights Watch (HRW), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the UN Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO), which allege that M23 rebels, with the support of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), carried out mass killings of civilians in Binza, Rutshuru Territory, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement issued on August 22, 2025, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier J. P. Nduhungirehe, described the accusations as “sensational” and “baseless,” insisting they lack credible evidence.
“Human Rights Watch itself admits that it did not independently verify the alleged killings of Hutu civilians over a period of almost two weeks,” Nduhungirehe said, adding that the claims appear politically motivated and “raise more questions than answers.”
The Minister further argued that the reports were not the product of any credible investigation but were instead “hastily released through media leaks in an attempt to entrench a pre-determined narrative.” He emphasized that only an independent investigation could establish the truth.
Nduhungirehe also criticized Human Rights Watch, accusing the organization of having “a long history of implausible claims against Rwanda, often timed to coincide with sensitive political moments.” He linked the latest allegations to ongoing peace efforts in the DRC, including the implementation of the June 27, 2025 Peace Agreement, which calls for the neutralization of the DRC-backed FDLR militia, a group Kigali accuses of fueling instability in eastern Congo.
Despite what it termed as obstruction by “non-state actors,” the Rwandan government reiterated its commitment to regional peace.
“Rwanda remains focused on working towards a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Great Lakes region, including through the Washington DC Peace Agreement and support of the Doha process,” the statement read.
