Mass Graves Containing 171 Bodies Discovered in Eastern DR Congo After M23 Withdrawal

Two mass graves containing 171 bodies have been discovered in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after the M23 rebel group recently vacated the city.

Conflict in the region continues to escalate despite a peace agreement mediated by the United States. "At this stage, we have identified two sites: one mass grave in Kiromony with approximately 30 bodies, not far from the Burundian border on the Congolese side, and another grave in Kavimvira where 141 bodies were found," North Kivu provincial governor Jean-Jacques Purusi told the AP by phone.

A civil society group called the local civilian protection network also wished to observe the graves, but the Congolese authorities reportedly prevented them from doing so. According to Yves Ramadhani, the group's vice-president, the deceased are M23 rebels. It is presumed that the deceased were killed on suspicion of being affiliated with the DRC army or pro-government militias.

The DRC army itself faces accusations of human rights violations and extrajudicial killings against the M23. However, the claims in the report have not been independently verified.

The M23 rebel group is the most prominent faction active in the mineral-rich eastern DRC and along the border with Rwanda. It has been engaged in conflict with the government there for nearly a decade. The first major clashes began in 2012, subsided somewhat in 2013, but reignited in 2021.
 
In January 2025, the group captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu. Over 1,500 people were killed and nearly 300,000 displaced when the city of Uvira was captured in December. M23 claims to fight for the rights of the Tutsi minority community. The DRC government has also strongly criticized Rwanda, which it accuses of supporting the rebels.

Last year, talks were held between the DRC and M23, mediated by Qatar. Talks were also held between the DRC and Rwanda, mediated by the United States. Despite agreements reached in the talks, clashes continue in the eastern DRC.

M23 stated that the decision to leave the city was a confidence-building measure at the request of the United States. Experts warned that immediate international intervention is necessary, citing the ongoing violent conflict in the eastern DRC's severe impact on human life, the number of displaced persons, and the local security situation, urging the international community.