More than 400 civilians have been killed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s South Kivu province as the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group escalates its offensive, regional officials said on Thursday. The surge in violence has also intensified fears of wider instability in the mineral-rich region despite recent diplomatic efforts to curb the conflict.
According to the South Kivu government spokesperson, at least 413 civilians, including women, children and young people, have been killed by gunfire, grenades and bombs in localities between Uvira and the provincial capital Bukavu. The fatalities occurred amid heavy fighting that has uprooted thousands of families and forced civilians to flee toward Burundi and other safer areas.
M23, which officials say is supported by Rwandan forces and foreign mercenaries — a claim Rwanda denies — has claimed control of the strategic port city of Uvira, raising fears that the violence could spread further across the region. The offensive comes despite a U.S.-mediated peace agreement signed last week by the Congo and Rwanda that excluded M23 and obliges Rwanda to halt support for armed groups.
The United Nations, African Union and other international actors have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis as more civilians are displaced and vital services are disrupted.
The conflict in eastern Congo, which has drawn in various armed groups and neighboring states, continues to be a major source of instability in the Great Lakes region.
