The M23 rebel group has claimed it captured hundreds of Burundian soldiers during its latest military advance in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, further escalating tensions in the region and casting doubt on ongoing peace efforts.
A senior rebel official said the soldiers were taken during clashes around Uvira, a strategic town near the Burundi border that M23 forces seized last week. The development came shortly after Congolese and Rwandan leaders met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, where they pledged renewed commitment to a peace framework known as the Washington Accords.
Patrick Busu Bwa Ngwi, appointed by M23 as governor of South Kivu, said the group intends to return the captured soldiers but insisted that Burundi must formally request their release. He also called on all Burundian troops to withdraw from eastern Congo, describing their presence as a source of instability.
Burundi has not officially responded to the claim. Its troops have operated in eastern Congo for several years as part of regional security arrangements.
The United States has reacted strongly to the renewed fighting. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Rwanda of violating the Washington Accords and warned that action would be taken if commitments are not honoured. Rwanda continues to deny backing M23, although a United Nations expert report published in July said Kigali exercises command and control over the rebel group.
M23 began a rapid offensive earlier this year, capturing key cities in eastern Congo and displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians. Since then, the group has sought to entrench its control by setting up parallel administrative structures, raising fears of a long-term split within the country.
Busu Bwa Ngwi warned that the rebels could advance further south into Katanga province if they believe civilians are being abused by Congolese forces. Katanga is a major mining region rich in cobalt and copper, resources that are critical to the global energy transition.
Congolese military sources said government troops had withdrawn from areas south of Uvira to reorganise for a possible counteroffensive, while rebel sources claimed those locations were already under M23 control.
Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate. Doctors Without Borders announced it had suspended its activities in Baraka due to worsening security, underscoring the growing toll of the conflict on civilians.
As fighting persists, hopes that a peace deal could unlock major Western investment in eastern Congo’s mining sector appear increasingly uncertain.