In a significant setback for international diplomacy, the M23 rebel faction has successfully captured Uvira, a vital port city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. This military achievement directly contravenes a recently signed peace agreement, which was brokered by the United States. Leaders from both the DRC and Rwanda had formally endorsed this accord only days before the city’s fall. Washington has issued a strong denunciation, explicitly accusing Rwanda of orchestrating this offensive, thereby violating the nascent agreement.
The strategic capture of Uvira, located on the northern shores of Lake Tanganyika, constitutes a considerable gain for the insurgents. This city functions as an essential commercial hub and is positioned directly across from Bujumbura, Burundi's capital. Consequently, the ongoing conflict is escalating to the immediate vicinity of another nation with a military presence in the region. Congolese officials have reported that the recent assault has tragically resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians.
This alarming development casts a considerable shadow over what was recently celebrated as a diplomatic breakthrough. Last week, Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda convened in Washington to formalize a deal aimed at de-escalating long-standing turmoil in Congo’s resource-rich eastern territories. A central tenet of this agreement was Rwanda's commitment to cease all support for armed groups, including the M23. However, the rebels, who were not signatories to the US-brokered pact, have dramatically intensified hostilities.
The United States has responded with unequivocal criticism, with US Ambassador Mike Waltz asserting at the United Nations Security Council that "Rwanda is leading the region towards increased instability and war." This accusation aligns with longstanding claims from UN experts and Western nations that Rwanda provides military backing to the Tutsi-led M23, allegations that Kigali consistently denies. The offensive is viewed as a profound embarrassment to American diplomatic efforts.
Analysts interpret the timing and scale of the rebel operation as a calculated manoeuvre to bolster their negotiating position. "The assault on Uvira flies in the face of all the negotiations that are under way," commented regional specialist Professor Jason Stearns. The M23 itself declared it had "fully liberated" the city, indicating a belief within rebel circles that greater territorial control translates into increased leverage. The implications are grave, potentially drawing in neighboring Burundi and risking a wider regional conflagration. The shattered peace deal leaves a vacuum, with the US warning it will employ available measures to hold "spoilers to peace" accountable. The seizure of Uvira plunges eastern Congo into deeper uncertainty.