UVIRA, Democratic Republic of Congo — Rebel forces from the M23 group have reportedly entered Uvira, the last government-held city in mineral-rich eastern DR Congo, sparking chaos and mass displacement despite a peace deal brokered last week by US President Donald Trump.
Situation on the Ground
- Heavy artillery and gunfire were heard across Uvira, with residents describing panic and lockdown conditions.
- Shops and schools closed, while terrified civilians hid indoors.
- A local rights official warned of a “risk of massacre” if government forces resisted.
Regional Fallout
- Burundi shut its border with DR Congo as thousands fled across Lake Tanganyika.
- A Burundian officer told AFP: “It’s chaotic, nobody’s in charge. Uvira is done for.”
- Burundi’s Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana called the rebel advance “a slap in the face” to Washington’s peace efforts.
International Response
- The US, EU, and eight European nations accused Rwanda of supporting M23 and demanded an immediate halt to fighting.
- UN experts say Rwanda’s army is in “de facto control” of M23 operations.
- Rwanda denies involvement, blaming DR Congo and Burundi for ceasefire violations.
Humanitarian Impact
- The UN reports 200,000 displaced since early December, with 74 civilians killed and 83 wounded.
- A Burundian source recorded 30,000 arrivals in one week.
Background
- M23 controls Goma, Bukavu, and key airports, and is not part of the US-brokered peace deal.
- Mediation with M23 continues separately under Qatar’s sponsorship.
- President Félix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of waging a “proxy war” to seize DR Congo’s strategic mineral wealth.