As M23 rebels advanced towards Bukavu in early 2025, the region saw horrific violence, with a focus on sexual atrocities committed by various armed factions, particularly the Congolese military. Survivors like Riziki highlight the personal toll and ongoing struggle for justice amidst pervasive fear and societal shame. Many victims have been silenced, with armed groups controlling the narrative and preventing legal recourse. The ongoing conflict has led to a culture of impunity where sexual violence has become a horrifying weapon of war against civilians, particularly women, in areas like Bukavu and Goma.
Survivors receive no justice Riziki (not her real name) was just one survivor of an attack. "Three soldiers broke into my house to loot. One of them came into my bedroom to rape me, but I resisted," she reports.
Witnesses reported cases of rape and sexual violence in the M23-occupied cities of Bukavu and Goma especially against married women and girls. Women were forced to perform sexual acts in exchange for various services.
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