Image Credit: Aljazeera
Authorities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have uncovered two mass graves containing at least 171 bodies in the Uvira area, which was recently seized by the M23 rebel group.
Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi reported that one grave in the Kiromoni neighborhood held approximately 30 bodies, while another in Kavimvira contained 141 bodies.
These discoveries come amid escalating violence in the region, despite a peace deal mediated by the United States.
Local civil society groups have indicated that the victims were likely killed by M23 rebels, with suggestions that they were targeted for allegedly having ties to the DRC army or pro-government militias.
The Executive Secretariat of the Local Network for the Protection of Civilians expressed a desire to visit the sites but was barred by the Congolese military.
The M23 group, which claims to advocate for the Tutsi community’s rights, has been involved in a long-standing conflict with the DRC government.
Despite various attempts at peace negotiations, including mediations by Qatar and the US, violence persists in the region, contributing to one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with over seven million displaced and thousands killed.
