The fighting follows the seizure of the strategic border town of Uvira, a key commercial and military hub near Burundi. The escalation has raised concerns that the conflict is entering a new phase marked by deeper regional involvement and territorial consolidation.

M23 Claims Mass Capture of Burundian Troops

M23 officials said their forces captured several hundred Burundian soldiers during combat operations in South Kivu province.

The group stated that the detainees would be returned if Burundi formally requests their repatriation. Rebel leaders demanded that all Burundian troops withdraw from eastern Congo, calling their presence a direct cause of continued fighting.

Offensive Undermines Recent Peace Commitments

The latest advance occurred less than a week after the presidents of Congo and Rwanda reaffirmed support for a peace framework in Washington.

Despite those pledges, M23 forces entered Uvira and surrounding areas, dealing a blow to confidence-building efforts. Regional officials warn that continued battlefield gains by rebels risk collapsing already fragile diplomatic channels.

Rebels Signal Push Toward Mineral-Rich Regions

M23 leaders said their forces are prepared to advance further south toward Katanga province, citing alleged abuses by Congolese troops. Katanga hosts major cobalt and copper deposits, critical to global supply chains, and accounts for a significant share of Congo’s mining output.

Observers say a southern push could dramatically alter the conflict’s economic and geopolitical stakes.