M23, through its spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, has condemned Human Rights Watch (HRW) for fabricating statements in his name and using them to spread falsehoods that align with the Congolese government’s agenda.
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In a statement posted on X, Kanyuka denounced HRW’s recent claims, stating that the organization is deliberately disseminating misinformation to support Kinshasa’s propaganda and mislead the international community about the security crisis in eastern DRC.
He stated:
“HRW is recklessly using its platform to spread DRC’s falsehoods due to its collaboration and vested interests with the Kinshasa government. We firmly declare that M23 has not attacked any non-governmental organizations. Instead, youth from various groups have voluntarily joined AFC/M23.”
Kanyuka further clarified that nowhere in his statements did he mention that artist Idengo was targeted because of his ties to Lucha. On the contrary, he asserted that many members of Lucha have actually joined M23.
He called on Human Rights Watch to cease its biased collaboration and instead publish accurate reports without distorting his words to serve the political interests of the Congolese government.
“We demand that HRW stop publishing statements we never made and fabricating evidence for political gain.”
This response comes after HRW released a report on March 12, 2025, filled with what M23 describes as misleading claims propagated by the Kinshasa regime. Among them is the allegation that journalist and civilian figures, including artist Idengo, were killed by M23 for their association with Lucha.
In its report, HRW alleged that Kanyuka had confirmed that M23 fighters shot Idengo because he was wearing a Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) military uniform.
Despite years of atrocities committed in eastern Congo, powerful nations and international organizations have remained silent, failing to hold the Congolese government accountable. Instead of addressing the real perpetrators of these crimes, they continue to condemn M23, which is fighting to put an end to the ongoing violence.
