M23 Rebels Seize Control of Uvira in Eastern Congo, Undermining Peace Efforts. Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo — The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group claimed control of the strategic city of Uvira in eastern Congo on Wednesday, following a swift offensive that began earlier this month.
According to the rebels’spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, who announced the seizure on the social media platform X, they encourage citizens to return to their homes.
Uvira, located on the border with Burundi, has become a significant stronghold in South Kivu since M23 captured the province’s capital of Bukavu in February.
On Wednesday night, residents of Uvira reported chaos as Congolese army troops retreated, with gunfire echoing throughout the city.
The M23’s latest offensive comes despite a US-mediated peace agreement signed by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in Washington last week.
The deal, hailed by then — US President Donald Trump as “historic, “did not include the rebels but required Rwanda to cease supporting armed groups and work towards ending hostilities. Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of violating the Washington peace agreement during a speech to parliament on Monday. Local United Nations partners report that more than 200,000 people have been displaced across South Kivu since December 2, with over 70 reported killed.
The seizure of Uvira raises concerns about the stability in the region and the effectiveness of the recent peace deal. While the agreement was aimed at bringing an end to the conflict, the M23’s continued actions underscore the challenges in implementing such agreements. Further details are expected as the situation unfolds, and the international community continues to monitor the situation closely.
Source: Rwanda-backed M23 rebels say they’ve seized.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
