At least 319 civilians were killed in July in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by the M23 armed group, according to the United Nations, which has strongly condemned the militia’s attacks despite recent ceasefire agreements.

In a statement issued Wednesday, UN rights chief Volker Turk said the killings occurred amid ongoing clashes between M23 fighters and the Congolese army in areas already suffering from decades of conflict and humanitarian crisis.

The M23, which is backed by Rwanda, has been advancing across parts of the mineral-rich eastern region since re-emerging in 2021.

"I am appalled by the attacks on civilians by the M23 and other armed groups in eastern DRC amid continued fighting, despite the ceasefire that was recently signed in Doha," said Turk.

He called for an immediate end to all violence against civilians and urged accountability for those responsible.

The UN Human Rights Office reported that the killings happened across North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces, all located along the borders with Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi.

The latest surge in violence came just weeks after the Congolese government and the M23 signed a declaration of principle on June 19 in Doha, Qatar. The agreement reaffirmed their commitment to a permanent ceasefire and included a promise to stop spreading hate messages and avoid seizing new territory by force.

The deal also set out a roadmap to restore state control in eastern DRC and laid the groundwork for direct negotiations aimed at achieving a broader peace settlement.

In addition to the Doha declaration, a separate agreement was reached in Washington between the DRC and Rwanda. Although the content of that accord has not yet been put into action, it was intended to ease long-running tensions.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi are expected to meet in the coming months to further the Washington agreement.

"I urge the signatories and facilitators of both the Doha and Washington agreements to ensure that they rapidly translate into safety, security and real progress for civilians in the DRC, who continue to endure the devastating consequences of these conflicts," said Turk.

The UN reminded that eastern Congo has suffered from armed conflicts, foreign involvement, and competition over resources like gold and coltan for more than 30 years. Despite repeated peace efforts, including dozens of ceasefires, lasting stability remains elusive.