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Breaking: AFC/M23 Pushes Toward Uvira After Seizing Key South Kivu Territories
AFC/M23 has reportedly expanded its control over several strategic locations in South Kivu and is advancing toward the city of Uvira. Wazalendo sources confirm that the group has seized key areas including Luvungi, Katogota, Lubarika, and Rubumba, prompting some Burundian troops supporting FARDC to retreat. With fighting likely to intensify around Sange and Runingu, fears are rising among residents as FARDC and Burundian forces struggle to contain the rapid advance. The escalating clashes have left South Kivu on edge, widening concerns over the deteriorating security situation.
The security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo continues to deteriorate amid growing reports circulating on social media indicating that the AFC/M23 movement is expanding the territories under its control and moving closer to the city of Uvira in South Kivu.
Sources within the Wazalendo coalition, which is fighting against AFC/M23, claim that the movement has captured several strategically important locations. These include Luvungi, the Katogota highlands, Lubarika, Kiringi, Rugenge, Kambara, Luvimvi, and the Rubumba zone, which borders Rwanda’s Bugarama and Kamanyola in the DRC.
In voice recordings shared online, a Wazalendo commander who followed the clashes acknowledges that AFC/M23 has seized multiple key areas and continues to strengthen and expand its military positions. He further alleges that some Burundian troops deployed to assist the FARDC fled back to Burundi through Rugombo as AFC/M23 intensifies military operations aimed at widening its area of control.
Additional reports indicate that the towns of Sange and Runingu could soon witness heavy fighting as AFC/M23 advances to within a short distance of Uvira one of the largest and most strategically important cities in the eastern part of the country.
Analysts believe the likelihood of major battles in Bwegera, Lubirizi, and Kaburimbo remains low due to their sparse population and limited strategic value.
The Wazalendo commander also criticized FARDC leadership and various commentators who claimed AFC/M23 was being defeated, saying the reality on the ground tells a different story. According to him, AFC/M23 continues to make significant territorial gains and is escalating the pace of its military operations.
These developments have heightened fear among local communities as the fighting puts additional pressure on FARDC and Burundian forces, who are reportedly struggling to halt the momentum of AFC/M23. The ongoing clashes have once again placed South Kivu at great risk, leaving residents closely monitoring how fast the situation is evolving as the country remains on edge.
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