The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel movement announced on Wednesday that it had seized control of the strategic eastern Congolese city of Uvira, following a swift advance that began earlier this month.
In a statement posted on X, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka urged residents who had fled to return to their homes. Uvira, located on the border with Burundi, has served as a major base in South Kivu since the group captured the provincial capital, Bukavu, in February.
Residents described a night of turmoil as Congolese army units retreated and gunfire echoed across the city.
The group’s latest offensive unfolds in the wake of a U.S.-brokered peace deal signed last week in Washington by the presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the agreement as “historic.” Although M23 was not a party to the accord and continues separate negotiations with the Congolese government, the deal requires Rwanda to cease support for armed groups and work toward ending the conflict.
Speaking before parliament on Monday, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of breaching the terms of the Washington agreement.
Humanitarian partners affiliated with the United Nations report that since 2 December, more than 200,000 people have been displaced in South Kivu and over 70 killed as violence escalates.
