France, Feb. 28 -- On Thursday, Jean-Jacques Purusi, governor of the DRC's South Kivu province, said two burial sites containing at least 171 bodies had been identified on the outskirts of Uvira, a strategic city near the Burundian border.

Speaking by phone, he described one grave in the Kiromoni neighbourhood holding around 30 bodies, and another in Kavimvira where 141 bodies were found.

The claims could not be independently verified, and M23 did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Even so, the reports have intensified scrutiny of the conduct of armed actors in a region already burdened by years of violence.

DRC: M23 says it will withdraw from key city of Uvira Allegations and restricted access

A local civil society orga...