DAKAR, Senegal (AP) - A rebel group operating in eastern Congo has reportedly been detaining civilians, including two journalists, in inhumane conditions within metal shipping containers. According to the advocacy organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), this practice has been implemented by the Rwanda-backed M23 group, which controls parts of eastern Congo, particularly in the city of Goma.
RSF indicated that the rebel group has transformed these metal containers into makeshift detention cells that lack both light and ventilation. The organization utilized witness testimonies, satellite imagery, and photographic evidence collected in the year 2025 to substantiate its claims. The detained journalists, among other civilians, were described as being subjected to extreme hardship, with as many as 80 individuals crammed into a single container at a time.
Conditions within the containers are reportedly dire, with detainees allowed outside only once a day. Witnesses have claimed that the food provided is minimal, and many individuals endure regular beatings. The testimonies paint a bleak picture; the heat within the containers is suffocating during the day, while the temperature drops sharply at night, leading to reports of deaths among those detained. Furthermore, survivors often remain in these conditions for weeks before being transferred to other detention sites.
The M23 did not provide an immediate response to a request for comment from The Associated Press regarding these allegations. The rebel group seized control of Goma in 2024, which has drastically worsened the already perilous situation for journalists working in the region. Threats and violent attacks against media personnel have become increasingly common, with RSF noting that the M23 has tightened its grip on media coverage and imposed restrictions on the language used when referring to their operations.
The eastern part of Congo is rich in minerals but has been plagued by decades of conflict, where government forces face off against over 100 armed groups, the M23 being one of the most formidable, receiving support from Rwanda. This group made significant advances early in 2024, managing to capture critical urban centers as they expanded their influence in the region.
Despite diplomatic efforts, including a truce facilitated by the United States and Qatar, the ongoing conflict has triggered a substantial humanitarian crisis, resulting in the displacement of at least 7 million people. The dire conditions faced by detainees in this conflict are reflective of the broader struggles and instability impacting millions in eastern Congo, illustrating the urgent need for increased international attention and intervention in the region.
