At the end of November 2022, the world was shocked by the massacre of civilians in Kishishe, in the province of North Kivu. This tragedy was attributed to the M23 following clashes with local militias. At least 131 civilians were killed, according to figures released by the UN Joint Human Rights Office in the Democratic Republic of Congo (UNJHRO). In another report published on Tuesday, February 7, the same entity revised this toll upwards and now speaks of 171 civilians killed.
The UNJHRO claims that these are acts of reprisals committed by the M23 against civilians “for their alleged collaboration with the national defense and security forces and rival armed groups”. For its part, the M23 speaks of manipulation and rejects these figures.
171 of the above civilians were executed in Bambo and Kishishe between November 21 and 30, 2022, the same source adds. UNJHRO data comes from two missions conducted in two locations. The first took place in Rwindi and the second in Nyanzale places near Kishishe and Bambo. A third mission is planned once the M23 leaves the area.
Human Rights Watch also published another report on the same massacre. The organization claims to have confirmed, after speaking with family members, the identity of 22 civilians killed. It is also investigating the identity of ten other civilian victims.
Kishishe has become the symbol of violence in this conflict. The figures relating to this tragedy are now an issue not only for the belligerents, many Western countries have cited and relied on these UN statistics to position themselves and condemn Rwanda.