The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have announced the full recapture of the strategic city of Uvira in South Kivu Province following the withdrawal of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. Government forces entered the southern districts of the city on Sunday 18th january, backed by pro-government Wazalendo militia, and by Monday 19th january declared that control had been restored after more than a month of rebel occupation.
M23 had seized Uvira in early December 2025 during a rapid offensive, displacing thousands of residents and triggering widespread insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The rebel group had previously stated that it would withdraw and leave security responsibilities to the international community, but locals and officials expressed scepticism about the announcement at the time. Local residents reportedly greeted the arrival of FARDC and allied forces with cheers, though sporadic gunfire was heard as the city stabilized. South Kivu officials warned that some M23 fighters remained positioned in the hills above the city, raising continuing concerns about security in the surrounding areas. The recapture of Uvira marks a significant tactical victory for the Congolese government in its long-running conflict with M23 rebels, who control significant territory in eastern DRC. However, observers caution that the situation remains tense, with the potential for further clashes in nearby localities as forces consolidate control and work to restore civil administration.
