The fragile peace in Eastern Congo has shattered just days after a high-profile diplomatic breakthrough. The M23 rebel group has seized control of Uvira, a critical strategic hub on the border with Burundi.
The capture of the city on Wednesday concludes a rapid and aggressive offensive that began earlier this month. It represents a significant humiliation for the Congolese military, which reportedly abandoned its positions under the cover of darkness.
A Night of Chaos
Residents of Uvira described a terrifying scene overnight as government troops fled the advancing insurgents. Gunfire echoed through the streets before the rebels established control.
By Wednesday morning, the city was in rebel hands. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm the takeover. In his post, he urged citizens who had fled the fighting to return to their homes, signaling the group’s intent to consolidate its hold on the area.
Uvira was one of the last remaining government strongholds in South Kivu province, following the fall of the provincial capital, Bukavu, in February.
Diplomacy Failed?
The offensive stands in stark contrast to the diplomatic optics of last week. A peace agreement, mediated by the United States, was signed in Washington by the presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.
U.S. President Donald Trump had hailed the accord as “historic.”
Although the M23 group was not a direct signatory they are negotiating separately with the DRC government the deal explicitly obliged Rwanda to cease its support for armed groups and work toward ending hostilities.
However, the reality on the ground suggests the deal has not held. On Monday, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi addressed parliament, accusing Rwanda of openly violating the terms of the Washington agreement.
Humanitarian Catastrophe
As political accusations fly, the civilian toll is mounting rapidly.
United Nations partners in the region report a deepening humanitarian crisis. Since the rebel offensive began on December 2, violence across South Kivu has resulted in more than 70 deaths.
Furthermore, the fighting has triggered a massive wave of displacement, forcing more than 200,000 people to flee their homes in search of safety.
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