Congolese government soldiers and fighters from the pro-government Wazalendo militia have re-entered the strategic eastern town of Uvira, residents reported on Monday, January 19, 2026. The move comes just over a month after the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group seized control of the town, dealing a significant blow to ongoing peace efforts mediated by the United States.
The return of government-aligned forces follows a withdrawal announced by the M23 leadership in mid-December 2025. Rebel leader Corneille Nangaa stated the withdrawal was a "unilateral trust-building measure" undertaken at the request of U.S. mediators to give parallel peace talks in Doha, Qatar, the "maximum chance to succeed". This decision came after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Rwanda of violating a U.S.-brokered peace agreement by supporting the M23's capture of Uvira.
Uvira is a critical logistical and military hub for the Congolese army, located in South Kivu province near the border with Burundi. Its initial capture by M23 forces on December 10, 2025, marked the rebels' most significant territorial gain in months and raised serious fears of a wider regional conflict. The town's fall occurred just days after the presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda reaffirmed a peace deal in Washington.
Jean-Jacques Purusi, the governor of South Kivu province, announced that the Gatumba border crossing with Burundi, which was closed when M23 took Uvira, is expected to reopen soon. However, the situation remains tense. Heavy fighting has been reported on the outskirts of the town, and both sides have traded accusations of looting within Uvira itself.
The conflict has created a severe humanitarian crisis. The United Nations has warned of a potential "regional conflagration," reporting that the recent M23 offensive displaced over 500,000 people in a matter of weeks as violence uprooted communities across South Kivu. Hospitals in the region are struggling to cope with the influx of wounded.
Rwanda continues to deny international allegations that it backs the M23 rebels, despite assessments from UN expert groups concluding that Kigali exercises command and control over the group. The peace process remains fragile, with diplomatic efforts continuing on parallel tracks: the United States hosts talks between the DRC and Rwanda, while Qatar mediates between the DRC and the M23. African leaders recently reaffirmed their support for the Qatari-mediated dialogue.