- Local people: “People are leaving because they are afraid of fighting resuming”
- ICC prosecutor Khan: “The situation in eastern DRC is acute, and accountability is essential”
Burundian troops allied with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are continuing to deploy in eastern DRC as M23 rebels move closer to the strategic town of Uvira. The town is located at the northwestern tip of Lake Tanganyika, directly across from Bujumbura, the economic capital of Burundi.
Since Sunday, heavily armed Burundian soldiers have been seen heading towards Luvungi. Some traveled by road from Uvira, while others crossed the Ruizi River, which marks the border between the DRC and Burundi. A resident of Sange, a town between Uvira and Luvungi, confirmed this movement, requesting anonymity for safety reasons.
Pro-Kinshasa Wazalendo militia fighters are joining the Burundian troops in Luvungi. “Many Wazalendo fighters are joining them in Luvungi,” the resident added.
M23 rebels are now near Kamanyola, about 75 kilometers north of Uvira. Although the town of Uvira remains calm, many residents are leaving, fearing renewed fighting. “People are leaving because they are afraid of fighting resuming,” said a local resident who asked to remain anonymous.
In recent weeks, M23 rebels have seized two major cities in eastern DRC. This has strengthened their control over parts of the mineral-rich region. The group resumed fighting in late 2021 and recently captured Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, just after taking control of Goma, the main city in North Kivu.
Their rapid advance has faced little resistance from the Congolese army. As they retreated, Congolese soldiers were accused of committing human rights abuses, according to local witnesses.
In response to the violence, the United Kingdom has suspended most direct aid to Rwanda. The decision follows reports from UN experts alleging that Rwandan soldiers are supporting the M23 rebels.
A UK government spokesperson said, “Rwanda may have security concerns, but military intervention is not an acceptable solution.” The aid suspension will remain until “significant progress” is made in reducing the conflict.
South African troops, part of a peacekeeping mission sent by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), have returned home for medical treatment after being seriously wounded in the conflict. The mission was deployed in 2023 to help Kinshasa restore peace in eastern DRC.
To address the growing crisis, two African regional groups — the East African Community (EAC) and the SADC — are working together on a new peace plan. They appointed former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo as mediators.
This peace effort aims to unite two existing diplomatic initiatives that were based in Luanda and Nairobi. The EAC and SADC have called for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” and increased security at Goma’s airport. A ministerial meeting is planned for Friday to discuss the ceasefire in detail.
The security situation in eastern DRC is worsening, with reports of civilian casualties and mass displacement. According to DRC’s Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, over 7,000 people have died in the region since January. However, these numbers have not been independently confirmed.
The United Nations reported more than 3,000 deaths since January 26, around the time M23 launched its offensive and captured Goma. The UN’s humanitarian agency OCHA noted 842 deaths in hospitals in Goma and nearby areas by mid-February.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating the rise in violence. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan arrived in Kinshasa and expressed concern about the crisis. “The situation in eastern DRC is acute, and accountability is essential,” Khan stated.
Khan warned that no armed group, military force, or their allies would escape accountability for any violations during the conflict.
As peace talks continue, the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC deepens, highlighting the urgent need for a political solution.