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By JUSTIN KABUMBA and MONIKA PRONCZUK
GOMA, Congo (AP) — Greater than 400 civilians have been killed for the reason that Rwanda-backed M23 armed group escalated its offensive within the South Kivu province in jap Congo, regional officers stated, including that Rwandan particular forces have been within the strategic metropolis of Uvira.
M23’s newest offensive comes regardless of a U.S.-mediated peace settlement signed final week by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in Washington. The accord didn’t embrace the insurgent group, which is negotiating individually with Congo and agreed earlier this yr to a ceasefire that either side accuse the opposite of violating. Nonetheless, it obliges Rwanda to halt help for armed teams and work to finish hostilities.
“Greater than 413 civilians (have been) killed by bullets, grenades, and bombs, together with many ladies, kids, and younger folks” in localities between Uvira and Bukavu, the regional capital, the South Kivu authorities spokesperson stated in a press release late Wednesday.
“In line with the data gathered, the forces current within the metropolis are composed of Rwandan particular forces and a few of their international mercenaries, working in clear violation of the ceasefire in addition to the Washington and Doha agreements, in complete disregard of the commitments made,” the assertion added.
Ripples from the battle unfold
M23 stated it had taken management of the strategic metropolis of Uvira in jap Congo on Wednesday afternoon, following a speedy offensive for the reason that begin of the month. Uvira is a crucial port metropolis on the northern tip of Lake Tanganyika and is straight throughout from neighboring Burundi’s largest metropolis, Bujumbura.
The announcement by M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, posted on the social platform X, inspired residents who fled to return to their houses. Uvira is a crucial port metropolis on the northern tip of Lake Tanganyika and is straight throughout from neighboring Burundi’s largest metropolis, Bujumbura.
Congo, the U.S. and U.N. consultants accuse Rwanda of backing M23, which had a whole bunch of members in 2021. Now, based on the U.N., the group has round 6,500 fighters.
Whereas Rwanda denies that declare, it acknowledged final yr that it has troops and missile methods in jap Congo, allegedly to safeguard its safety. U.N. consultants estimate there are as much as 4,000 Rwandan forces in Congo.
Burundian International Minister Edouard Bizimana, in an interview with French state media RFI on Wednesday, urged the U.S. to strain Rwandan President Paul Kagame to make sure the implementation of the settlement signed within the U.S.
“M23 with out Kagame, with out Rwanda, is nothing,” he stated.
Bizimana stated the seize of Uvira poses a menace to the financial capital, Bujumbura.
“We’ve got registered greater than 30,000 refugees and asylum-seekers within the final three days … Uvira and Bujumbura are coastal cities. What threatens Uvira additionally threatens Bujumbura.”
On Thursday, Kanyuka stated on X that “some Burundian forces have returned to their nationwide territory, whereas others have entrenched themselves within the highlands,” referring to the hills of Uvira and Mininebwe in South Kivu.
“Since early Thursday morning, Dec. 11, 2025, these components entrenched within the highlands have resumed, with unacceptable brutality, their marketing campaign of extermination in opposition to our Tutsi Banyamulenge compatriots in Minembwe, indiscriminately launching bombs and utilizing heavy artillery that’s killing harmless civilians, together with girls and kids,” he wrote.
The Chairperson of the African Union, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, on Thursday stated he “deeply regrets these clashes and the violence perpetrated in opposition to civilian populations, which run counter to the momentum generated by the Doha Framework Settlement” between congo and AFC/M23, “in addition to the Washington D.C. Settlement between the DRC and Rwanda.” He additionally known as on all events “to train restraint and to prioritize a political answer.”
Wrestle for mineral-rich territory
In a press release Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa urged M23 and Rwandan troops to stop all offensive operations and for the Rwandan Protection Forces to withdraw to Rwanda.
The Rwandan Ministry of International Affairs blamed the Congolese armed forces for the latest ceasefire violations in a press release on X on Wednesday.
“The DRC has overtly said that it will not observe any ceasefire, and was combating to recapture territories misplaced to AFC/M23, even because the peace course of unfolded,” it stated.
Greater than 100 armed teams are vying for a foothold in mineral-rich jap Congo close to the border with Rwanda, most prominently M23. The battle has created one of many world’s most vital humanitarian crises, with greater than 7 million folks displaced, in accordance to the U.N. company for refugees.
Native U.N. companions report that greater than 200,000 folks have been displaced throughout the province since Dec. 2, with greater than 70 killed. Civilians even have crossed into Burundi, and there have been experiences of shells falling within the city of Rugombo, on the Burundian aspect of the border, elevating issues concerning the battle spilling over into Burundian territory.
Pronczuk reported from Dakar, Senegal. Related Press author Renovat Ndabashinze in Bujumbura, Burundi, contributed to this report.
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