Sub-Saharan Africa
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EAC Regional Force to Investigate Alleged Killings by M23 Rebels in Eastern DR Congo

© AP Photo / Moses SawasawaMembers of East African Community Regional Force (EACRF), left, watch the M23 rebels leaving after a ceremony to mark the withdrawal from their positions in the town of Kibumba, in the eastern of Democratic Republic of Congo, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.
Members of East African Community Regional Force (EACRF), left, watch the M23 rebels leaving after a ceremony to mark the withdrawal from their positions in the town of Kibumba, in the eastern of Democratic Republic of Congo, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.  - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 18.07.2023
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At least 11 men were found dead in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on July 16, media reported, citing local sources who blamed the M23 group for the massacre. The rebel group launched an anti-government insurgency in 2022, occupying large areas and committing acts of violence.
The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) deployed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has said it will send a verification mission to investigate crimes allegedly committed by the M23 rebels, media has reported.
According to the reports, 11 men were killed in Rutshuru territory, about 100 km north of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in eastern DRC. It was noted that the bodies were found after the rebels withdrew from the area. Earlier, the group reportedly clashed with other armed groups there.

A local resident told media that those killed were civilians, emphasizing that there were "no fighters among them."

In response to the allegations, spokesman for the M23 group Lawrence Kanyuka denied any involvement in the killings, highlighting that it had already handed over the territory to the EACRF.
This photograph taken on January 6, 2023 shows cars passing by a destroyed military vehicle in Rugari, after clashes between the Congolese army and M23 rebels in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 16.07.2023
Sub-Saharan Africa
M23 Rebels Blamed for Killing 11 in Eastern DR Congo
Last summer, amid deteriorating security in the eastern part of the country where the M23 group started an uprising against the government, member countries of the East African Community (EAC) set up a regional force with a mandate to secure peace and stability. Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda have so far deployed their contingents to eastern DRC.
Since their deployment in the region, there has been a fragile ceasefire between the M23 and the regular Congolese forces. In May, East Africa's leaders decided to prolong the mandate of the regional military force until September. In a statement, the EAC pointed to its "tremendous progress in its efforts to restore peace and stability in the eastern DRC."
The regional bloc said the EACRF will continue to ensure the ceasefire and will also monitor the withdrawal of armed groups that have handed over most of the areas under their control to the EACRF.
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