The AFC/M23 coalition fighting the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government continues to expand its strongholds in South Kivu Province, heading towards the city of Uvira.
On December 8, 2025, AFC/M23 fighters liberated parts of the Uvira Territory from the DRC government forces, including the centers of Nyakabere and Sange.
Before taking Nyakabere, AFC/M23 first captured Bwegera, Luberizi, Luvungi, Rurambo and Katogota, from the center of Kamanyola, which it has controlled for 10 months. It is moving along the main RN5 road to the city of Uvira.
The AFC/M23 is fighting downhill, seemingly with the aim of quickly capturing the city of Uvira, where the South Kivu provincial administration established by the DRC government is located. Sange is 30 kilometers from the city.
In order for AFC/M23 to capture the city of Uvira from Sange, it must capture other key areas, including the Runingo and Kiliba centers, which are also in this territory. It is a 30-kilometer journey.
The battle, which was initially difficult at the beginning of last week due to heavy shelling in Kamanyola, has now changed its face as AFC/M23 fighters are moving at an incredible speed.
The DRC army has begun to clash with the Wazalendo groups it usually works with, due to the weaknesses they continue to show on the battlefield. This makes it difficult to determine which side is leading the other.
On December 7, 2025, Sange was controlled by a coalition supported by the DRC government. The country’s army wanted to disarm, heading to the city of Uvira, but the Wazalendo groups stopped them, demanding that they lay down their weapons.
When the DRC army rejected the Wazalendo request, heavy fighting broke out, in which Burundian troops joined. 36 people were killed, including civilians and soldiers, and more than 20 others were injured.
The Wazalendo groups, which are accustomed to violating orders from the DRC government army leadership, began to accuse the government army of collaborating with the AFC/M23 because they did not understand how many areas were being captured so quickly.
