In eastern Congo-Kinshasa, a region ravaged by ongoing conflict, the discovery of at least 171 bodies in two potential mass graves has raised grave concerns regarding the violence in the area. The graves were found in territories recently vacated by the M23 rebel group, which has been backed by Rwanda, coinciding with fresh military offensives by the Congolese army. The findings were disclosed by Jaques Purusi, the governor of South Kivu province, in conjunction with an independent organization.

Specifics regarding the locations of the identified graves include one in Kiromoni, near the border with Burundi, containing 30 bodies, and another in Kavimvira, where 141 bodies were uncovered. These discoveries highlight the alarming human toll of the ongoing hostilities and underscore the complexities surrounding accountability and the humanitarian situation in the region. As of yet, the claims regarding these mass graves have not been verified by independent sources.

Efforts to obtain comments from the M23 rebel group concerning these allegations have been unsuccessful, which raises further questions about the group's involvement in the conflict and the fate of civilians in the region. The ongoing instability in eastern Congo continues to be a significant concern for local and international observers, as the violence has devastating implications for human rights and security in the area.