[3] The massacre led to the mass displacement of civilians, with hundreds of thousands fleeing to nearby locations such as Kanyabayonga, Kibirizi, Kashala, Kirima, Rwindi, Nyanzale, Kashalira, Bambu, and Kitchanga, while some sought refuge in neighboring countries.

[11][12] The attack provoked widespread international condemnation and outrage from Congolese political figures, including Juvénal Munubo Mubi, Martin Fayulu, President Félix Tshisekedi, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, and Julien Paluku Kahongya.

The M23, a Tutsi-led rebel group defeated in 2013, resumed attacks in North Kivu in November 2021, citing the Congolese government's failure to uphold their security, economic, and political interests.

[19] By 29 October, the rebels had captured Rutshuru and Kiwanja, gaining control of a section of Route Nationale 2, the primary road linking Goma to Beni and Butembo.

[19] M23 continued its advance in three directions: south toward Goma, north toward Ishasha, and west through Virunga National Park into the Tongo groupement of Bwito Chiefdom—where the Kishishe massacre would later unfold.

[27][28] The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) initially reported at least 50 civilians killed in Kishishe on 1 December, while the Congolese government revised the figure to "more than 100" the following day.

[29] However, in its annual report published on 7 February 2023, the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) documented the summary execution of at least 171 people in Bambo and Kishishe between 21 and 30 November 2022.

[30] Denis Mukwege, a Nobel laureate and gynecologist known for his work with victims of sexual violence, expressed indignation at the massacre, calling for international mobilization against "Rwanda's aggression in the DRC".

[33][34] NGODH, a consortium of human rights organizations in North Kivu, urged the United Nations and the Congolese government to take immediate action by referring the case to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Rwandan President Paul Kagame to cease all support for M23, citing deep concern over the impact of the fighting on Congolese civilians who had been killed, injured, or displaced.

[36] The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) called for an investigation into the massacre, while the European Union (EU) ambassador to the DRC demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities and respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL).