MWE Correspondent
In a sudden turn of events that has intensified conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the rebel group known as M23 announced it has taken control of the strategic city of Uvira, close to the border with Burundi, despite recent diplomatic efforts to secure peace in the region.
Residents and local officials reported that M23 fighters entered Uvira on December 10, 2025, moving through parts of the lakeside city after government forces withdrew. The capture follows a rapid offensive that began earlier this month, part of a broader campaign in South Kivu Province that has already displaced tens of thousands of civilians and caused significant casualties.
The city’s fall comes just days after a U.S.-mediated peace agreement was signed in Washington, D.C., by the presidents of Congo and Rwanda — a deal that aimed to curb fighting but notably did not include M23 in the negotiations. Observers say excluding the armed group has undermined the accord and made implementation difficult on the ground.
M23’s spokesperson hailed the capture of Uvira as a “liberation” and urged civilians to resume their normal lives. However, the situation on the ground remains tense. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as Congolese army units retreated from key positions, with gunfire heard in some neighborhoods before the takeover.
Humanitarian groups report that the renewed violence has had a devastating impact on civilians. More than 400 people, including women and children, have been killed in clashes across parts of South Kivu since the latest offensive began, with aid agencies warning of a deepening crisis. Tens of thousands have fled their homes, seeking safety across the border in Burundi, where authorities have temporarily closed crossing points amid rising refugee flows.
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Analysts say Uvira’s strategic position — lying on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and near key transport routes — makes it a valuable asset for any group seeking influence in eastern Congo. Its loss represents a significant blow to government control and raises fears that M23 could push further into the region.
The conflict involving M23 traces back to longstanding tensions rooted in ethnic divisions, governance disputes, and competition over the DRC’s vast mineral resources. The Great Lakes region of Africa, encompassing eastern Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi, remains highly volatile, with repeated outbreaks of violence over the years fueled by both political and economic grievances.
International response to the latest developments has been mixed. While the United States and European partners have urged restraint and called for a genuine cessation of hostilities, there is growing concern that diplomatic efforts may falter unless all stakeholders, including armed factions like M23, are brought to the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies warn that essential services such as healthcare, food distribution, and schooling are being disrupted as fighting continues. Many displaced families are living in makeshift camps with limited access to clean water and basic supplies, raising fears of disease outbreaks and worsening hardship as the conflict drags on.
The seizure of Uvira marks another chapter in a conflict that has displaced millions over the past decade and highlights the fragile state of peace efforts in one of Africa’s most contested regions.
