The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, has accused Rwanda of carrying out a “humanitarian invasion on Congolese soil,” after AFC/M23 announced that it had captured the city of Uvira, one of the most strategic urban centers in the country’s east.
Uvira was the last major city in Eastern Congo that was not under AFC/M23 control. Its loss for the DRC government marks a major turning point in a war that has, for years, claimed lives, displaced communities, and devastated the region.
In a statement posted on X by the President’s Office, Tshisekedi said AFC/M23’s offensive is “a violation of the Washington Agreement” recently signed by him and President Paul Kagame with the mediation of U.S. President Donald Trump.
President Kagame, in his remarks, stated that Rwanda “voluntarily accepted the agreement” and will respect it, but added that “the fighting had already begun before the agreement was signed.”
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The DRC accuses Rwanda of sending soldiers, weapons, and military support to aid M23, a claim Rwanda denies, insisting it provides “no support whatsoever” to M23 and that its actions are limited to “protecting its own security.”
For its part, Rwanda and UN experts accuse the DRC of collaborating with FDLR fighters, something the Congolese government denies, saying it has no intention of supporting the group.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he is “deeply concerned” by escalating violence in South Kivu. He called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, adding that the UN is ready to provide humanitarian aid and continue advocating for peace.
This follows statements from countries including the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, condemning “the M23 offensive supported by Rwanda near Uvira,” warning that it threatens the stability of the entire region.
After capturing Uvira, AFC/M23 said its operations aim to “protect civilians who have faced over 90 days of brutal violence from FARDC and its partners.” The group urged residents to return home, assuring them of their safety.
However, the Congolese government described these actions as “continuous provocation.”
Day after day, large portions of North Kivu and South Kivu continue to fall under AFC/M23 control. The group already holds Goma and Bukavu as well as much of the surrounding territory.
As fighting intensifies, thousands of civilians are fleeing. A report from OCHA states that more than 500,000 people have been displaced in less than a week, some crossing into neighboring countries while others scatter into various parts of Congo.
The international community continues to sound the alarm, warning that the region may be entering one of its most volatile moments in the past 30 years.
