A U.S.-brokered peace initiative suffered a major setback as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels claimed control of Uvira, a strategic city in eastern Congo. The group announced the takeover on X after a rapid offensive that defied last week’s U.S.-mediated agreement between Congo and Rwanda. That deal did not include M23, which has accused Kinshasa of violating an earlier ceasefire.
Residents described a chaotic night as Congolese troops retreated and gunfire spread across the city. Congo’s government reported more than 100 deaths but did not directly acknowledge losing Uvira, a key port on Lake Tanganyika.
🇷🇼 Rwanda must be held fully accountable to the terms it and the DRC signed in Washington last week. Those commitments are not optional, and the United States expects them to be enforced.
— House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) December 10, 2025
Global leaders must stand with the U.S. in condemning Rwanda’s actions without reservation. pic.twitter.com/aHgYWVyZOp
Washington and UN experts have long accused Rwanda of supporting M23, which now fields roughly 6,500 fighters. Rwanda denies backing the group but admits having forces in Congo.
Gunfire as rebels target key DR Congo city despite Trump peace deal https://t.co/XjilovYAuF
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 10, 2025
The U.S. Embassy urged all sides to halt offensive operations as the conflict intensifies. More than 200,000 people have been displaced since December 2, deepening one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
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TIPP Staff
