According to the Congolese authorities, several dozen civilians were killed about a week ago in an area controlled by the M23, in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu. Their remains were discovered by witnesses cited by Congolese officials.
With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Patient Ligodi
According to information reported by the representative of the governor of the province in this region, there would be about 60 dead. These people were reportedly killed in several villages in the Bwito chiefdom between April 20 and 25, about 100 km from Goma.
Some members of civil society speak of about thirty dead bodies discovered and others speak of at least 16 civilians killed, all farmers who went to the fields during this harvest period around the villages of Kapopi and Kasali, in the edge of Virunga Park.
At this stage, the UN agencies remain cautious and have not yet decided on a final assessment. They acknowledge killings of civilians accused by the M23 of being either dependents or collaborators of the FDLR or the Mai-Mai Nyatura
Before the arrival of the M23, the area was also characterized by the activity of other armed groups including FDLR and Nyatura. Following this situation, a large part of the population, according to civil society, left the area and took refuge in several towns including Tongo.