Residents emerge in DR Congo’s tense Uvira after M23 rebel takeover

Al JazeeraCenterEN 4 min read 100% complete by Al Jazeera StaffDecember 13, 2025 at 12:39 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Following its capture by M23 rebels, a tense calm has settled over Uvira, a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in South Kivu province, as of December 13, 2025. Residents are beginning to emerge from their homes after government and allied militias fled the city. The M23 takeover threatens a recent US-brokered peace agreement between Congolese and Rwandan leaders. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Rwanda's actions as a violation of the peace deal, with the US threatening action. Regional authorities report at least 400 civilians have been killed in the violence between Bukavu and Uvira, both now under M23 control.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Marco Rubio 50% Uvira ×480% United States ×380% Democratic Republic of Congo ×7100% M23 ×4100% Rwanda ×3100%

Keywords

dr congo 100% m23 rebels 100% uvira 90% conflict 80% peace deal 70% rwanda 70% civilians killed 60% violence 60% south kivu 50% wazalendo militias 40%