MWE Correspondent
The rebel group March 23 Movement (M23) has reportedly seized control of the strategic town of Uvira, located in the South Kivu province of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), near the border with Burundi.
The takeover followed intense fighting on the night of 9 December 2025, with local reports describing heavy shelling, explosions, and street battles before the rebels successfully entered the town.
Uvira, a key commercial and transport hub on the edge of Lake Tanganyika, has long been considered vital for both regional trade and military strategy. The capture by M23 marks a serious setback for the DRC government, which has struggled to maintain control over parts of the eastern region, historically plagued by violence and instability.
Eyewitnesses said the fighting forced many residents to flee, with some crossing into neighbouring Burundi to escape the violence. The clashes reportedly caused widespread panic and disruption, with civilians leaving homes and businesses as the battle intensified. Humanitarian observers have expressed deep concern over the safety and well-being of the affected population, warning that such offensives could exacerbate an already fragile situation in the Great Lakes region.
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International actors have reacted with urgency. The United States and several European countries have called on M23 to halt its advance immediately and urged Rwanda, long accused of supporting the rebels, to remove any troops operating in eastern Congo. These appeals come just days after a peace agreement was signed between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Washington, under the mediation of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite the accord, the resurgence of hostilities underscores the challenges in enforcing lasting peace in the region.
This latest offensive is part of a broader pattern, with M23 previously seizing major towns such as Goma and Bukavu, and maintaining influence in eastern DRC for more than a year. Analysts warn that without sustained diplomatic intervention and support for local governance, such attacks could lead to further displacement, regional instability, and a protracted humanitarian crisis.
The situation in Uvira remains fluid, with reports of ongoing clashes around the outskirts and uncertainty over the presence of DRC government forces. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, urging restraint and adherence to peace agreements to prevent further escalation.
