Rwanda-Backed M23 Rebels Capture Strategic City in Eastern DR Congo

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have reportedly entered the eastern DR Congo city of Uvira, a crucial military base located near the borders of Burundi and Rwanda. The takeover has triggered widespread panic and forced thousands of residents to flee, raising alarms about the regional stability.

Witnesses reported that the M23 rebels marched into Uvira unopposed, claiming to have “liberated” the city. However, government officials insist that their troops remain in control amid the escalating tensions. The advance comes on the heels of a recently brokered peace deal between DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, casting doubt on the negotiations’ effectiveness.

In response to the developments, Burundi has closed its borders due to fears of a potential massacre. Local residents have described the situation as chaotic, with reports of explosions and lockdown conditions pervasive throughout the city. This incursion has led to a surge in regional tensions, prompting accusations from the US, EU, and several European nations against Rwanda for providing support to the M23 rebels—a claim that Rwanda has vehemently denied. Instead, Rwanda has accused DR Congo and Burundi of breaching the ceasefire agreement.

UN officials have reported intense shelling in the region, resulting in at least 74 deaths and displacing approximately 200,000 people since the latest round of fighting reignited. Over 30,000 residents have fled into Burundi alone, seeking refuge from the conflict. The recent offensive follows earlier M23 takeovers of significant cities such as Goma and Bukavu, exacerbating an already strained humanitarian situation.

President Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of waging a proxy war in the mineral-rich territory, igniting fears of a wider conflict in a region that has been plagued by violence for decades. As the narrative continues to unfold, the prospect of peace remains uncertain, with international observers watching closely as the situation develops.

By Newsroom
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.