Background
Uvira, situated along Lake Tanganyika approximately 25 kilometers from Bujumbura, Burundi, serves as South Kivu's second-largest urban center. The city's strategic location near the Burundian border makes it a crucial point for regional security and refugee movements. Prior to the clashes, the city had received an influx of displaced officials and military personnel following the March 23 Movement (M23)'s capture of Bukavu. [6] The withdrawal of leadership and security forces led to widespread disorder and armed confrontations with allied militia groups in Bukavu. [7]
Burundi reported the arrival of approximately 10,000 refugees between February 14–16, 2025. These displaced persons were initially accommodated in temporary facilities within Burundi's Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces, pending relocation away from the border region in accordance with Burundian regulations. Burundian authorities implemented measures to distinguish between civilian refugees and military personnel among the arrivals. [6]
Offensive
Strategic withdrawal from Bukavu
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) strategically withdrew from Bukavu starting on February 14, 2025, aiming to establish defensive positions outside the city while minimizing civilian casualties. [6] [7] [8] However, this plan faced opposition from allied militia groups, particularly the Wazalendo, who advocated for maintaining defensive positions within the city. The withdrawal precipitated violent confrontations between retreating FARDC forces and Wazalendo militia groups along the N5 highway south of Bukavu. Senior military sources reported widespread demoralization among troops following repeated operational failures and territorial losses. Attempts to establish defensive positions were further complicated by instances of soldiers abandoning their positions and engaging in looting during the strategic withdrawal. [7]
FARDC–Wazalendo clashes
From February 15–17, 2025, during the withdrawal and during M23 advances, armed confrontations erupted between FARDC forces and Wazalendo fighters, resulting in twelve fatalities among both military personnel and civilians. The conflict reportedly originated from the Wazalendo's attempt to acquire military equipment from FARDC soldiers who had retreated from Bukavu. When FARDC refused to relinquish their armaments, the situation escalated into armed violence. [6]
These clashes, occurring in settlements including Kamanyola, Sange, and Uvira, emerged when Wazalendo fighters attempted to prevent FARDC personnel from retreating or deserting. The situation was exacerbated by incidents of military equipment being seized and redistributed by militia forces. [7]
M23 advance
By February 18, M23 forces secured Kamanyola, a strategic location situated 25 kilometers south of Bukavu, after overwhelming the disorganized FARDC defensive positions. The capture of Kamanyola established a launching point for potential further advancement toward Uvira, located 75 kilometers to the south. [1] Social media documentation appeared to show some communities, particularly in the Panzi region south of Bukavu, welcoming advancing M23 forces. [6]
On February 19, Médecins Sans Frontières reported that combat occurred along stretches of the N5 highway from Bukavu to Uvira, leading to dozens of injuries. [9] Many FARDC soldiers took control of boats so they could flee across Lake Tanganyika. Guns were fired while citizens tried to get onto the boats. A prison in Uvira was broken into, freeing 228 FARDC soldiers who had been detained for desertion. [10]
During M23 forces' advances, Burundi initiated the withdrawal of its military forces from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, ending a long-term military presence in the region. Multiple military vehicles crossed back into Burundi from South Kivu, though some troops remained temporarily stationed near the border region. [11]
Responses
Domestic
Armed clashes between FARDC and Wazalendo forces led to a widespread shutdown of civilian activities in Uvira. Educational institutions and commercial establishments ceased operations, while vehicular and pedestrian movement effectively came to standstill. Local governance structures were significantly impacted, with reports indicating that administrative leadership had relocated to either Kalemie or Bujumbura. [6] A general hospital in Uviru reported receiving dozens of injuries from troops and civilians. [12]
President Félix Tshisekedi, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, criticized the international community's limited response to Rwanda's alleged involvement, and accused former president Joseph Kabila of supporting opposing forces. [13]
Humanitarian crisis
Escalation of violence and looting on February 15 resulted in at least eighteen direct fatalities, and triggered a mass exodus of local populations. The conflict particularly affected communities situated between Kamanyola and Sange, where an estimated 70 percent of the village populations abandoned their homes. Roughly 25,000 internally displaced persons had already sought refuge in Uvira prior to the February escalations, with the actual number likely exceeding official estimates, as security conditions prevented comprehensive assessments. Several fatalities occurred during attempted crossings of the Ruzizi River, including several children who drowned while attempting to reach safety in Burundi. [14] [15] By February 18, between 10,000 and 15,000 Congolese civilians fled to Burundi, leading to severe strain on Burundian transit facilities and resources. [11]
Multiple humanitarian aid organizations were forced to evacuate their personnel. [14]
Widespread civil disorder arose across Uvira. By February 19, At least thirty fatalities were reported in one morgue, along with 100 hospitalizations. Several instances of looting and volleys of gunfire were also reported. [10]
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Rwanda (Congolese claim)
Sultani Makenga [4] 
Felix Tshisekedi 