DRC: The M23’s offensive throughout South Kivu culminates in capturing Uvira — Expert comment

On 10 December, the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement (M23) rebels seized control of Uvira, a major economic hub in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the location of the South Kivu provincial government aligned with Kinshasa since the fall of the political capital of Bukavu in February. 

Dr. Ladd Serwat, Africa Senior Analyst at ACLED, said: 

“In addition to Uvira, the M23 offensive captured the lowland plain south of Kamanyola, an area adjacent to Burundi. This plain, which stretches from Kamanyola to Lake Tanganyika and includes Uvira, had been under the control of Congolese and Burundian military along with allied armed groups. Numerous civilians were killed or injured by artillery, crossfire during clashes, or deliberate targeting by armed actors. M23 control of Uvira also disrupted established trade and strategic resource flows between Burundi and the DRC, redirecting these northward toward Rwanda.

“The capture of Uvira followed a significant escalation in the South Kivu highlands throughout November. During this period, the M23 and allied groups — including the Twirwaneho, Ngumino, and RED-Tabara — made extensive territorial gains, particularly in Mwenga territory and as far east as Shabunda territory despite repeated Congolese military air- and drone strikes. The takeover occurred shortly after the Congolese and Rwandan governments signed a peace agreement in Washington, DC, highlighting the fragility of the process and the agreement’s inability to halt hostilities on the ground.”

Note to editors: For more information or to interview Ladd Serwat, please contact the ACLED press office at [email protected].