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The AFC/M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) entered the strategic city of Uvira on Tuesday, following several days of fighting that began at the start of December. Uvira is the second-largest city in South Kivu province, with its capital Bukavu having been under rebel control for 10 months. ALSO READ: AFC/M23 rebels take a town 20km from Uvira Reports indicated that on Tuesday, the AFC/M23 had taken over the city, which had been a major government stronghold since February, when Bukavu fell into rebel hands. However, the rebel group led by former DRC election chief Corneille Nangaa did not officially claim the capture of the city located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Situated about 80 kilometers south of Bukavu, Uvira will be the third city to fall under rebel control. Goma, the capital of North Kivu, was captured in late January, followed by Bukavu in mid-February. The government coalition, which includes Burundian troops, FDLR, local militia groups known as Wazalendo, and foreign mercenaries, has been defending the city for months. ALSO READ: Burundian and Congolese soldiers pull back to Bujumbura as M23 rebels advance – reports In recent clashes, the Burundian army led the government coalition, conducting air strikes from Burundi territory during the battle for Kamanyola, a town where thousands were displaced and others fled to Rwanda last week. After maintaining control of Kamanyola on Saturday, the AFC/M23 advanced south towards Uvira, capturing towns one after another in the Ruzizi plain. Congolese soldiers, along with their allied Burundian forces and Wazalendo fighters, withdrew from the front lines as the rebels moved forward, with some crossing into Bujumbura. The Congolese military coalition had faced accusations of imposing a blockade on parts of South Kivu, including Minembwe, where the Banyamulenge community resides. The AFC/M23 has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of Burundian troops from DRC, stating that the conflict is purely a Congolese issue. At a press conference on Tuesday in Goma, Nangaa reaffirmed this stance, saying, “The Burundian government has taken on the heavy responsibility of direct involvement in an unjustifiable war against our people. Why are our Burundian brothers inserting themselves into a conflict that does not belong to them?” Nangaa claimed his group would soon restore order in Uvira and end the harassment by the government coalition. After the AFC/M23 captured Bukavu and appointed its governor, the Kinshasa-appointed provincial government relocated to Uvira. The Congolese government and the rebels have held multiple rounds of peace talks since April. The two sides have signed several agreements under Qatar-mediated negotiations, including a ceasefire, but the situation on the ground remains unstable.

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