Rwanda has strongly condemned Human Rights Watch (HRW) for what it described as “stalking cemeteries” in Kigali, dismissing the rights organisation’s latest report as disingenuous and politically motivated.
Rwanda government spokesperson Yolande Makolo criticised HRW’s focus on the Kanombe Military Cemetery, saying:
“In what way would stalking Rwandan cemeteries like this even conceivably be a ‘human rights’ issue? Human Rights Watch is disingenuous & desperate for attention.”
Makolo further challenged HRW to focus on other regional conflicts, adding:
> “How about using this technology to show the ongoing bombing of Banyamulenge villages by FARDC, the thousands of Burundian troops crossing into South Kivu to support FARDC & out-of-control VDP/Wazalendo militias who are killing civilians? Or is @HRW covering for these ongoing attacks by repeatedly & wrongly placing the blame on Rwanda?”
HRW, in its September 4 statement, defended its analysis, citing satellite imagery to document grave increases at Kanombe Military Cemetery.
“HRW geospatial analysis shows a large increase of graves in Kanombe Military Cemetery in Kigali, Rwanda since the M23 armed group and Rwanda Defence Force offensive on Goma and Bukavu in eastern DR Congo in Jan 2025," the group said.
The report details that from 2017 to mid-2021, an average of 1.7 new graves were added per week, increasing to 6 per week after early 2022 with the resurgence of M23.
During the capture of Goma in December 2024, HRW said the cemetery saw 22 new graves per week on average.
HRW counted a total of 1,171 new graves from January 27, 2022, to July 3, 2025, including 460 graves added between December 15, 2024, and July 3, 2025.
The Guardian first reported the increase in February 2025, noting it coincided with M23 and RDF’s major offensive and capture of territory around Goma.
In June, HRW concluded: “Rwanda’s support to M23’s offensive in January and February, and its apparent overall control of the M23, makes it an occupying power under international humanitarian law. Rwanda is thus legally liable for M23 abuses.”
But challenged HRW to focus on other regional conflicts, saying the technology they claim to use on cemeteries in Kigali would be better put to capture what is happening inside DR Congo.
“How about using this technology to show the ongoing bombing of Banyamulenge villages by FARDC, the thousands of Burundian troops crossing into South Kivu to support FARDC & out-of-control VDP/Wazalendo militias who are killing civilians? she asked.
"Or is @HRW covering for these ongoing attacks by repeatedly & wrongly placing the blame on Rwanda?”
Rwanda continues to deny allegations of direct support to M23 fighters, asserting that such reports are politically motivated.
HRW, however, has consistently criticised Rwanda over human rights issues both domestically and regionally, including suppression of dissent, media restrictions, and alleged backing of proxy groups in eastern DR Congo.