Residents of Uvira, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, fear health risks after the discovery of 171 bodies in mass graves, according to provincial authorities. The remains were reportedly found after the M23 rebels withdrew from the city in South Kivu province.
Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi indicated that two mass graves had been discovered on the outskirts of the city, attributing the deaths to the rebel group. The Associated Press noted that it was unable to independently verify these claims, and the M23 did not immediately respond. The bodies will not be buried until after the required forensic examinations, the governor added, urging people not to disturb the sites.
Residents say they have discovered decomposing bodies, partially buried in shallow pits, including within the grounds of a residential complex. "This poses a great danger to neighboring communities," Flavien Kalenga Mutumishi, who lives near one of the sites, told the AP by telephone.
Another resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that health workers had been contacted, but were reluctant to intervene due to the lack of adequate security measures in place.
Civil society organizations indicated that access to mass graves was restricted by the authorities and that taking photos was prohibited.
Congolese judicial authorities have opened an investigation. The governor called on the UN mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and regional organizations to conduct their own investigations. However, MONUSCO stated that it was unable to confirm the information due to a lack of verifiable data on the precise location, the number of victims, and the circumstances of the deaths.
Provincial authorities and some local actors accuse the M23 of executing people suspected of links to the Congolese army or pro-government militias. The rebel group, like the Congolese armed forces, has already been accused by NGOs of serious human rights violations.
The M23 seized control of Uvira in December following a swift offensive that reportedly left more than 1,500 dead and displaced approximately 300,000 people, according to regional authorities. The group subsequently withdrew, describing the move as a "unilateral confidence-building measure" at the request of the United States to facilitate a peace process.
The DRC, the United States, and UN experts accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, which is estimated to have around 6,500 fighters. In the mineral-rich east of the country, more than 100 armed groups are active. The conflict has triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with more than 7 million internally displaced persons, according to the UN.
Despite a recently negotiated agreement between Kinshasa and Kigali under American mediation and ongoing discussions between the Congolese government and the rebels, fighting continues on several fronts, continuing to claim civilian and military casualties.
