Scars of conflict now stretch along the highway leading into Uvira, where fresh fighting has erupted between M23 rebels and the Congolese army in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Residents along the road recount terrifying moments as violence escalated. Samuel Masikitiko, who lives in Luvungi, about 70 kilometres north of Uvira, said civilians were trapped in deadly crossfire while trying to flee.
“There were many deaths. I saw a motorcycle rider right in front of me in Luberizi when a bomb landed as people were escaping. He died on the spot. Nearly nine people were also killed in Sange,” Masikitiko said. “People were dying from explosions, and we didn’t even know if they came from the enemy or the FARDC.”
The Associated Press was granted rare access to Uvira, Congo’s last major government-held city in South Kivu after the provincial capital, Bukavu, fell to Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in February. Holding Uvira allows the group to secure a wide corridor of influence across eastern Congo.
Fear continues to grip the strategic city days after it was taken by the rebels, even though Congolese and Rwandan presidents signed a U.S.-mediated peace deal in Washington last week.
Locals described chaos when fighting broke out. “People were terrified. There was heavy gunfire everywhere,” said Alvin Safari, a resident of Uvira. “Some people ran away, others were killed, but we thank God we survived.”
By Saturday, Uvira was largely empty. The streets were quiet, with only military vehicles moving around. Banks remained shut, most residents had not returned to work, and armed M23 fighters were seen patrolling. After sunset, the city fell completely silent.
Despite the uncertainty, some residents stayed behind. Esther Maria said normal life has yet to return.“Many people fled, but we remained,” she said. “Things are still not normal. There’s no income, so we haven’t gone back to work. We spent two days indoors, nobody working, but at least we are alive and healthy.”
M23 says it seized Uvira earlier this week following a fast-moving offensive that began at the start of the month. Regional officials report that more than 400 people have been killed and about 200,000 displaced.
The offensive comes despite the recent U.S.-brokered peace agreement, which did not involve M23. While Rwanda pledged to stop backing armed groups and help calm the conflict, Congo and the rebels continue to accuse each other of breaking previous ceasefires.
