GOMA, DR Congo — More than 400 civilians have been killed in the ongoing fighting in Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group consolidates control over the strategic city of Uvira. The offensive comes despite a U.S.-mediated peace agreement signed last week in Washington between the Congolese and Rwandan presidents.

Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies

According to South Kivu government officials, at least 413 civilians — including women, children, and young people — have been killed by bullets, grenades, and bombs in the towns and villages between Uvira and Bukavu. Thousands more have been forced to flee, with over 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers arriving in neighboring Burundi in just the past three days.

Uvira, an important port city at the northern tip of Lake Tanganyika, lies directly across from Bujumbura, Burundi’s largest city. Burundian officials have warned that instability in Uvira threatens regional security and could spill over into Burundi.

M23’s Strategic Gains

M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka announced on social media that the militia had captured Uvira on Wednesday afternoon, following a rapid offensive that began on December 1. Eyewitnesses report that Rwandan special forces are present in the city, supporting M23 operations. The group is estimated to have approximately 6,500 fighters, while U.N. experts put the number of Rwandan troops in eastern DRC at around 4,000.

Congo, the United States, and U.N. observers have accused Rwanda of backing M23, although Rwanda denies direct involvement. Rwandan officials argue that their presence in eastern Congo is intended to safeguard their national security against ethnic Hutu militias linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Violations of Peace Agreements

The U.S.-brokered agreement signed last week does not formally include M23, which has been negotiating separately with the DRC and had previously agreed to a ceasefire earlier this year. Both sides, however, accuse each other of violating the ceasefire. Regional officials say M23’s offensive represents a direct violation of the Washington and Doha agreements, as well as the ceasefire obligations imposed on Rwanda to halt support for armed groups.

Burundian Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana urged the U.S. to pressure Rwandan President Paul Kagame to enforce the agreement, stating, “M23 without Kagame, without Rwanda, is nothing.”

Displacement and Regional Threats

The fighting has displaced more than 200,000 people across South Kivu province since December 2. Hundreds of civilians have also fled across international borders, raising concerns about the conflict spilling into Burundi. Reports indicate that shells have landed in the Burundian town of Rugombo, intensifying fears of regional escalation.

Strategic and Economic Implications

Uvira’s capture gives M23 and its Rwandan backers control over a key port city and access to eastern DRC’s mineral-rich regions. Analysts warn that the city’s fall could allow M23 to expand toward the copper- and cobalt-producing provinces of Katanga, which are vital to DRC’s economy and global supply chains for critical minerals. The U.S. sees stability in this region as crucial for securing access to these minerals, particularly to reduce dependence on China.

International Calls for Ceasefire

The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa issued a statement urging M23 and Rwandan forces to cease offensive operations and withdraw troops to Rwanda. Meanwhile, Rwanda has accused the Congolese armed forces of violating the ceasefire by attempting to recapture territory lost to M23.

With over 100 armed groups competing for influence in eastern Congo, the region faces one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with millions displaced and thousands killed. International observers warn that without urgent intervention, civilian casualties and regional instability are likely to escalate further.