South Kivu

South Kivu is a province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) bordering Burundi. It is currently newsworthy due to ongoing conflict involving the M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda. Recent events include the M23 seizing control of Uvira, a key city in South Kivu, in December 2025. This takeover triggered a massive exodus of Congolese civilians, with over 84,000 fleeing to Burundi, according to the UN. The UNHCR reports that those arriving are primarily women and children, often exhausted and traumatized. While there were attempts at peace talks, the fighting has continued. More recently, in February 2026, the border between the DRC and Burundi at Kavimvira, near Uvira, reopened, allowing some of the over 90,000 Congolese refugees to return. The situation in South Kivu highlights the ongoing instability and humanitarian crisis in the eastern DRC, driven by rebel activity and regional tensions.