Rwanda-backed M23 Militia Seizes Ground in DR Congo, Thousands Flee
Thousands flee DR Congo fighting as M23 closes on key city
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is plunged into chaos as the Rwanda-backed M23 militia rapidly advances towards the strategic city of Uvira. Thousands of people have fled over the border into neighboring Burundi, with more than 8,000 arriving daily over the past two days, according to Burundian administrative sources.
The M23's latest offensive comes despite a peace deal brokered by US President Joe Biden (previously Donald Trump) just a week ago, which aimed to end the long-running conflict in the mineral-rich region. The agreement was signed by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, but fighting has intensified in the past few days.
Congolese soldiers are among those fleeing the fighting, with some abandoning their uniforms and weapons as they retreat. Locals describe a state of panic, with bombardments striking the hills above Uvira. The city's capture would essentially cut off the South Kivu region from DRC control, posing an existential threat to Burundi.
The situation has been exacerbated by the deployment of Burundian troops to the eastern DRC in October, with reinforcements bringing the total to around 18,000 men. The M23's latest offensive follows nearly a year after the group seized control of Goma and Bukavu, two key provincial capitals in the eastern DRC.
The US and European powers have urged the Rwandan military and its M23 allies to halt their offensive and withdraw from the eastern DRC. However, Rwanda argues that it faces an existential threat due to ethnic Hutu militants present in the eastern DRC with links to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The conflict has been ongoing for three decades, with the region plagued by fighting and mineral extraction.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the international community remains concerned about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. The UN refugee agency has confirmed the influx of refugees, with thousands more expected to flee in the coming days.
