The M23 rebel group has rejected recent accusations by Amnesty International, which allege that the group operates illegal detention centers and engages in arbitrary arrests in parts of North Kivu.
M23 officials claim they were never contacted by the organization and had no opportunity to respond before the report was made public.
According to Willy Manzi, the Vice Governor of North Kivu under M23’s administration, there has been no outreach of any kind from Amnesty International.
He said the group has not received any form of communication—whether in person, via email, or by phone—regarding the accusations. Manzi stressed that it is concerning for such serious claims to be published without seeking clarification or input from those being accused.
He further questioned the validity of the report, pointing out that none of the organization’s staff have visited areas under M23 control to conduct on-site assessments or engage with local authorities.
Manzi noted that Amnesty International has no office or official representative on the ground in the region, which further raises doubts about how the information was collected and verified.
In response to the allegations, M23 stated that it maintains a strict stance against criminal activity and has issued warnings to any groups or individuals involved in unlawful acts.
The group emphasized that it does not tolerate criminal behavior and takes security and governance seriously within its territories.
M23 officials argue that this proactive approach to maintaining order calls into question the reliability of Amnesty International’s claims.
They reiterated their willingness to cooperate with independent observers, provided investigations are impartial and based on direct evidence.
The group concluded by expressing concern over the spread of unverified or one-sided reports, which they believe can distort public understanding of the situation on the ground.
They described Amnesty’s allegations as fabricated and lacking any credible basis, given the organization’s absence from the field and lack of engagement with the accused party.