Democratic Republic of the Congo - December 2025

Violence in South Kivu surged in early December, as the M23 rebel group and allied Rwandan soldiers launched a new offensive, advancing into several parts of the eastern province. This included the strategically important city of Uvira, which it captured from pro-government forces on 10 December. Heavy weaponry, including artillery and bombs, were reportedly used in the offensive and the fighting is estimated to have killed at least 400 civilians, displaced more than 500,000 others, and overwhelmed hospitals and medical centres in the area. While the M23 announced on 16 December that it was withdrawing from Uvira, its fighters continued to clash with pro-government militias on the outskirts of the city late into the month. According to data from ACLED, a conflict data initiative, the levels of violence in South Kivu in December reached their highest point since M23 resumed its offensive in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in November 2021.     

Sources: International Crisis Group, Jeune Afrique (1), United Nations, Human Rights Watch, Jeune Afrique (2), Armed Conflict Location and Event Data