Mass graves containing 171 bodies discovered in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have confirmed the discovery of two mass graves in the Kiromoni and Kavimvira neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Uvira, a city recently seized by the rebel group M23. The governor of South Kivu province, Jean-Jacques Purusi, stated that authorities found approximately 171 bodies at these locations.

According to Purusi, one mass grave contained around 30 bodies in Kiromoni, while another had 141 bodies in Kavimvira. Yves Ramadhani, vice president of the Executive Secretariat of the Local Network for the Protection of Civilians, stated that the victims were likely killed by M23 rebels due to suspicion of belonging to the DRC army or a pro-government militia.

The Congolese military has prevented local civil society group from visiting the mass graves. Both the DRC military and M23 have been accused of extrajudicial killings and abuses by rights groups. The M23 rebel group, which is one of over 100 armed groups operating in eastern DRC, has been involved in a long-standing conflict with the government.

In December, M23 seized control of Uvira, resulting in significant loss of life and displacement. The group later announced its withdrawal from the city, citing a “unilateral trust-building measure” requested by the US to facilitate peace negotiations. However, fighting continues in the region despite agreed ceasefires.

The conflict has led to one of the world’s most significant humanitarian crises, with over seven million people displaced and thousands killed. The UN agency for refugees reports that more than 200 people were also killed in a collapse at the Rubaya coltan mine last month.

Source: Al Jazeera