A cautious calm has settled over Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as residents emerge after the city’s capture by M23 rebels.
The takeover has raised concerns about the viability of a United States-brokered peace agreement signed a week earlier by Congolese and Rwandan leaders.
Washington has accused Rwanda of igniting the offensive, warning that the agreement faces serious risk.
Regional officials say at least 400 civilians, including children, were killed in fighting between Bukavu and Uvira, both now under M23 control.
Al Jazeera reported that Uvira’s streets remain tense, with signs of heavy combat visible despite the absence of active clashes.
Residents have begun returning, though most businesses remain closed and uncertainty persists.
Government forces and allied militias known as Wazalendo fled Uvira before M23 fighters entered the city, according to local reporting.
Displaced residents are gradually returning, expressing cautious relief as violence subsides.
“People are coming out, they feel the fear is behind them,” an Al Jazeera correspondent reported, while noting the situation remains fragile.
Some residents said daily life is beginning to normalize, though confidence remains limited.
Others expressed concern that stability may be temporary as control consolidates.
The offensive, which began on December 2, has displaced more than 200,000 people across South Kivu province, according to local United Nations partners.
More than 30,000 refugees have fled into neighboring Burundi in recent days, adding pressure to an already strained humanitarian situation.
U.S. officials have described Rwanda’s actions as a “clear violation” of the Washington peace deal.
At the United Nations Security Council, Washington warned it would hold those undermining the agreement accountable.
Rwanda has denied directing the offensive, while acknowledging troop presence in eastern Congo for security reasons.
Burundi has deployed forces near its border and warned that continued attacks could lead to direct confrontation.
The M23 group defended its actions, claiming it had “liberated” Uvira and insisting its aims are limited to eastern Congo.
Analysts briefed to the Security Council said civilians have yet to benefit from recent diplomatic agreements.
The M23 is not a party to the Washington talks, instead engaging in separate negotiations with the Congolese government mediated by Qatar.