Uvira, South Kivu (DR Congo) – The eastern Congolese city of Uvira has been gripped by heightened tensions in recent days following the appointment of a senior military officer to a key local command post. The move has sparked clashes between the Congolese army (FARDC) and armed groups that were ostensibly allied with it in the fight against the M23/AFC rebellion.
According to military sources, the unrest began shortly after the officer’s arrival, with some local militias turning their weapons on government troops. The FARDC has accused the M23/AFC of exploiting the situation to sow discord among pro-government forces, weakening the front against the rebels.
The M23/AFC insurgency, active in both North and South Kivu, has been accused by Kinshasa of seeking to expand its control toward Uvira — a strategic city on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and near the Burundian border. The Congolese army, supported by local militias known as Wazalendo and regional allies, has been engaged in heavy fighting to prevent further rebel advances.
