The M23 rebel group is advancing toward the city of Uvira, the second-largest in South Kivu Province, raising fears that the strategic city could fall under rebel control.
Since Thursday, M23 forces have been spotted in areas surrounding Uvira, including Katogota and Luvungi. Reports on Friday indicate the rebels may be tightening their grip as they move closer to encircling the city.
Located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Uvira has been under the protection of Congolese government forces (FARDC), Burundian troops, and local Wazalendo militias since February this year. These forces had retreated there after being ousted by M23 from Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu.
The advance on Uvira comes amid ongoing peace talks in Doha, Qatar, between M23 representatives and the Kinshasa government. These negotiations aim to resolve the conflict that has lasted over three years.
