The Congolese national army has officially announced the successful recapture of Uvira, a key city in the South Kivu province. This development follows the retreat of the M23 rebels, a group widely identified as being supported by Rwanda, who had maintained control over the area since early December.
While the M23 leadership previously claimed they were transferring authority to the international community, the actual physical transition of power took place over a tense 48-hour period starting this past Sunday.
The Liberation Timeline: Sunday to Monday
The recapture of the city was a multi-stage operation involving both regular and irregular forces loyal to the government in Kinshasa.
- Sunday Morning: Pro-government Wazalendo forces moved into the southern districts of Uvira.
- Sunday Afternoon: Congolese special forces arrived to reinforce the position and secure the city center.
- Monday: Government officials formally announced that the military had established full control over the city.
Mixed Reactions and Local Stability
The arrival of the Congolese forces sparked a variety of reactions from the local population. While many residents took to the streets to cheer the arriving soldiers, the transition was not entirely peaceful.
- Public Celebrations: Citizens welcomed the fighters as the sounds of sporadic gunfire signaled the end of the rebel occupation.
- Looting Incidents: Local sources reported that the arrival of the forces was unfortunately accompanied by the looting of several homes and businesses throughout the city.
Strategic Concerns: The Threat from the Hills
Despite the military’s claim of victory, local officials warn that the security situation remains precarious. Although the M23 rebels have vacated the city streets, they have not retreated far.
Reports circulated to the media by South Kivu officials indicate that M23 fighters have repositioned themselves in the hills directly overlooking Uvira. From these elevated vantage points, the rebels reportedly have their weaponry trained on the city, maintaining a significant tactical threat to the population and the newly arrived government troops.
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