M23 rebels claim to have seized the city of Uvira, a key commercial hub near the Burundi border that served as the temporary capital of South Kivu province, amid the latest escalation of fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Local sources said rebels marched into the town around 11:30 am local time and, without encountering any resistance, advanced towards Kavinvira, on the border with Burundi.

Sources said gunfire was heard earlier in the day, and members of the AFC/M23 rebel coalition have been visible in the area of Kavimvira, in Uvira's northern suburbs, since Monday, before capturing the city.

Earlier on Wednesday, South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi stated that the town remained under government control.

Gunfire

However, in a post on US social media company X, rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka claimed that the city has been "liberated."

According to local sources, gunfire could still be heard in some neighbourhoods where pro-government militia Wazalendo fighters were visible, and an exchange of fire was reported in Mulongwe.

Anadolu attempted to contact provincial officials several times to confirm the most recent developments, but none in South Kivu were reachable.

Meanwhile, security sources told UN Radio that the Congolese army had retreated the day before towards Swima, Makobola, and Baraka in Fizi territory.

Lightning offensive

Earlier, Burundi's Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana stated on X that the border between the two countries remained open.

The rebel group went dormant for nearly a decade before resuming fighting in 2021, launching a lightning offensive that resulted in the capture of several territories, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu.

Despite the December 4 DR Congo-Rwanda agreement brokered by the US, the rebels have recently advanced across several areas of South Kivu province.

Until Wednesday, the city of Uvira had served as the province's temporary capital since the rebels took Bukavu earlier this year. The city is an important crossing point between DR Congo and Burundi. Many Burundian soldiers stationed in South Kivu use the route to return home.

International community urges retreat

The UN, Kinshasa, and others accuse neighbouring Rwanda of supporting the M23, which Kigali denies.

The capture of Uvira came just hours after the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes, chaired by Germany and made up of the US, EU, UK, and several European nations, urged the M23 and Rwandan army to "immediately halt" offensive operations in eastern Congo.