Residents of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are navigating life under the control of M23 fighters, who have reinforced their grip on the city after seizing it two days ago, local sources told AFP.
Life in the lakeside city, near the Burundian border, is gradually resuming as people comply with directives from the Rwanda-backed militia.
The takeover is part of an ongoing offensive that began in early December in South Kivu province. Earlier this year, M23 captured Goma and Bukavu, and the control of Uvira strengthens their hold over the eastern region, including the land border with Burundi, limiting Kinshasa’s military options.
On Friday, pedestrians and motorbikes were spotted moving through parts of the city along Lake Tanganyika, signaling a cautious return of daily activities. The day before, M23 fighters had combed the streets to remove remaining Congolese troops and allied local militias, commonly referred to as “Wazalendo,” after taking control of strategic districts.
One resident told AFP by phone: "The new authorities told people not to leave their homes until they finish the sweep. There may still be some wazalendo in certain places." Another added: "It's better than yesterday and the day before. The shops on the main road remain shut, but small markets in some areas are already open."
Anonymous witnesses reported that the city feels calm under M23 supervision. A resident from Kalombe explained: "The situation is relatively calm. We see M23 fighters going back and forth, but they haven't bothered us so far."
Residents have been asked to participate in “salongo,” a form of community service mandated by the militia, which involves cleaning streets and homes. A gas station worker described an encounter with three young fighters: "Last night, three young M23 soldiers came knocking at my gate. I was scared when I opened. They told me: 'Why are you scared? You should go out for a walk.'"
The fighters instructed locals: "Don't drink beer before 4:00 pm, and on Saturday, you must take part in salongo." Despite the seeming order, the United Nations and various NGOs have repeatedly condemned M23 for serious human rights abuses, a concern that shadows life in the city.
